First-round CFL Draft pick Dariel Djabome to make first start for Edmonton Elks at B.C.

Photo: Gord Weber/3DownNation. All rights reserved.

The Edmonton Elks will be thin at the linebacker position for their matchup with the B.C. Lions on Saturday, and are turning to a Canadian youngster as a result.

Dariel Djabome, the third-overall pick in the 2026 CFL Draft, will make his first career start in Kelowna. The 22-year-old has dressed for all three games this season, recording two special teams tackles.

The native of Longeuil, Que., played 47 collegiate games over four seasons with Rutgers University, where he made 192 total tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and one pass knockdown. He served as a team captain in 2025, was named an All-Big Ten honourable mention by the media, and was a semifinalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy, which is awarded annually to the player with the best combination of academics, leadership, and on-field performance.

Djabome will be forced onto the field because American linebacker Brock Mogensen, who has made six defensive tackles and two special teams tackles this season, has been placed on the six-game injured list with a hamstring issue. He joins Nick Anderson, Edmonton’s opening-day middle linebacker, who was placed on the six-game injured list last week.

American defensive back Ladarius Tennison will dress for depth on special teams, as will Canadian defensive lineman Silas Hubert. Canadian receiver Zach Mathis has been moved to the reserve roster and will not play.

The Edmonton Elks (3-0) will visit the B.C. Lions (0-3) at the Apple Bowl in Kelowna on Saturday, July 4, with kickoff scheduled for 7:00 p.m. EDT. The Elks are coming off a 23-18 come-from-behind win over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, while the Lions lost the first of two games in the Okanagan against the Calgary Stampeders.

The weather forecast in Kelowna calls for a high of 26 degrees and a mix of sun and cloud. The game will be broadcast on TSN in Canada and CFL+ internationally. Radio listeners can tune in on 880 CHED in Edmonton or 730 CKNW (English) or Sher-E-Punjab Radio AM 600 (Punjabi) in B.C.

Graphic courtesy: Edmonton Elks