BC Lions Bring Back Record-Breaking LB Ben Hladik
The offense of the BC Lions got a big boost Tuesday by signing running back William Stanback. BC also ensured help on defense by returning one of their top defensive players after agreeing to a two-year contract extension with linebacker Ben Hladik through the 2025 season.
Hladik made history last season becoming the first Canadian in team history to produce more than 100 tackles. He finished with a career-high 102 total tackles, adding five sacks and one interception in 18 games.
BC selected Hladik in the third round of the 2021 CFL Draft and has played all three seasons with the team. He made 175 total tackles, seven sacks, three interceptions and one forced fumble in 50 career games.
Hladik was the last of the three pending free-agent linebackers that were signed with Maxime Rouyer and Josh Woods also locking up deals. BC only has six more players who are pending free agents.
Edmonton Elks Add Another QB, Sign Kaleb Eleby
The quarterback position has been an ever-changing position as the Edmonton Elks keep adding and subtracting signal-callers from the roster. They made the move this week to add another quarterback in Kaleb Eleby.
Eleby is coming off a 2023 stint with the Houston Roughnecks after being selected in the XFL Draft in 2022. He saw limited time on the field for Houston, throwing for 28 yards last season. Eleby previously attended NFL rookie minicamp with the Seattle Seahawks.
For three seasons at Western Michigan, Eleby threw for 6,084 yards with 45 touchdowns to just 11 interceptions. He also ran for 75 yards and 13 scores in 24 games. The MAC Conference named him as third team All-Mac selection in 2020 and second team All-MAC in 2021.
TRANSACTION | The Elks sign 🇺🇸 Kaleb Eleby (QB).
— Edmonton Elks (@GoElks) February 5, 2024
Make your next transaction with Play Alberta | https://t.co/maFOe5uWmr #OurTeamOurCity #GoElks #CFL @K_Eleby5 https://t.co/KvOQX8ZPC8
Currently, the Elks are carrying seven quarterbacks on the roster. Edmonton has signed McLeod Bethel-Thompson, Todd Centeio, Malik Henry and Steven Montez during the offseason. The team also released Taylor Cornelius to make room for Bethel-Thompson. Tre Ford and Jarret Doege are the only quarterbacks remaining from the 2023 squad.
The quarterback battle in training camp is likely going to be between Bethel-Thompson and Ford. Bethel-Thompson is considered the favorite. The QB3 job is one to watch with five battling for that spot.
Edmonton Elks Roster Moves Include Signing QB, Releasing DB
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Anthony Miller has been covering professional spring football since 2019 including XFL, USFL, and CFL. He was a local news reporter in Texas before transitioning to sports. Other sites he writes for includes College Football Network and NTZ Network.