EDMONTON – The new era of the Edmonton Elks will officially begin on Saturday, with a quick audition in Calgary to see who is best fit for this revitalized Green and Gold squad.
The quick trip down the QEII will be a chance for so many hopefuls to firmly entrench their spot on the 2025 Elks roster. The game gets underway with a 7:30 pm kickoff at McMahon Stadium. Listen along on 880 CHED or watch for free on CFL+.
Here are your three things to watch for in Calgary.
FIRST LOOK AT FAJARDO
Leading the way for the Elks against the Stampeders will be veteran quarterback and 2023 Grey Cup Most Outstanding Player Cody Fajardo. The 32-year-old joined Edmonton via a trade with Montreal this offseason, providing the Elks was some stability behind rising star Tre Ford. In a league where every team saw at least two quarterbacks take the field for them last season, Fajardo is the ultimate insurance policy and Elks fans will get their first look at veteran in Green and Gold on Saturday.
The most accurate quarterback in CFL history will be backed up by a pair of pivots getting their first taste of CFL action in William McElvain and Cole Snyder. McElvain joins the Elks from Central Arkansas and has shown a live arm in camp and the ability to throws from all different arm angles. Snyder was a recent addition to the Elks, joining the club on May 19. All three QBs are expected to see some action against Calgary, while Tre Ford will bide his time to play in front of the Commonwealth faithful on Friday, May 30 against the BC Lions.
WHO ARE THE DUDES ON THE D-LINE?
With most of the Elks top pass rushers like Jake Ceresna, Robbie Smith, Noah Curtis, and Jared Brinkman not making the trip down to Calgary, there will be plenty of opportunity to show who deserves to be the next man up. Brandon Barlow is on of the few veterans making the trip, bringing his 14 sacks over the past two seasons down with him. Virginia product Noah Taylor will make his comeback after a shoulder injury cost him the latter half of the 2024 season. The 25-year-old had come on with two sacks and 12 defensive tackles in seven games last season.
When it comes to CFL rookies, Shakel Brown will be front and center in the middle of the defensive line. The 26-year-old has been a forceful presence in Training Camp after having spent time with the Miami Dolphins, San Francisco 49ers, and Tennessee Titans over the last two years.
BIG TIME RECEIVERS
Safe to say there has been no shortage of pass catchers at Elks Training Camp and their talents will be on full display on Saturday. Last season’s rookies in Arkell Smith and Zach Mathis will be the veterans in a receiving core against the Stampeders. Mathis in particular is looking to build off a 2024 season that ended in spectacular fashion, with the six-foot-seven wideout hauling in a game tying score with 34-seconds left to help propel the Elks to a 31-30 win over the Argonauts in the season finale.
Joining him will be a group of receivers with some top-tier pedigrees. Ohio State product Binjimen Victor has nearly the same size as Mathis (6’6) which made him a favoured redzone target by the Buckeyes quarterbacks. Victor’s 18 career touchdowns place him 10th all-time in Ohio State’s history, alongside NFL great and New Orleans Saints legend Michael Thomas.
Another NCAA Div 1 powerhouse will be strongly represented on Saturday with former Georgia Bulldogs and 2022 National Championship wide receivers Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint and Kearis Jackson expected to see significant snaps against the Stampeders.