Photo: Bob Butrym / 3DownNation. All rights reserved.
The Edmonton Elks have signed Canadian runner Maleek Irons and American quarterback Ben Holmes.
The six-foot, 230-pound native of Chilliwack, BC, was originally selected by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the third round of the 2019 CFL Draft. He played 24 games over three seasons in Hamilton and recorded 74 carries for 324 yards and a running touchdown while adding 18 receptions for 116 yards.
The 26-year-old played four seasons at Ohio University, running 1,447 yards and 16 touchdowns in 28 games with the Bobcats.
Holmes will be on Edmonton’s practice list. The 27-year-old recently spent time on the training ground with the Montreal Alouettes after stints with the New Jersey Generals of the USFL and the Arizona Rattlers of the Futsal League.
He played collegiate at Tarleton State (2018-19) where he went 23-2 as a starter. He finished his career with the fifth number of passing yards (5,997) and the second most passing touchdown (62) in the school’s history, leading the Texans to consecutive Lone Star conference championships.
Edmonton also released U.S. defender Jalen Collins, U.S. offensive line player D’Antne Demery and U.S. runner Jordan Scarlett from the training list.
Collins started all six Edmonton games as a cornerback this season and made 12 defensive tackles, a forced balance and a touchdown. It was acquired by the Elks along with offensive attack Martez Ivey by trading the Toroto Argonauts in June in exchange for a sixth-round selection in the 2023 CFL Draft.
The 29-year-old started five regular-season games for the Argos in 2021 and recorded 12 defensive innings, two interceptions and a forced balance. He also started the Eastern Finals against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and made three tackles.
Demery spent two weeks on the training list, while Scarlett was on the training list for three weeks after a stint with the Montreal Alouettes.