The Edmonton Elks focused on defence early in the Canadian Football League’s annual draft of native talent on Tuesday. The Elks took Rutgers linebacker Dariel Djabome third overall in the CFL Canadian Draft, the first of three defenders the team selected to start their 2026 collection of eligible college players new to the league. TSN Canadian football analyst Duane Ford said early this week that Djabome, a six-foot-two, 237-pounder from Montreal, is a player who could make the Elks lineup as a rookie and have an immediate impact. Djabome, who accepted an invitation from the NFL’s Washington Commanders to their rookie mini-camp, appeared in every Scarlet Knights game over his four seasons there and started the final 25. Last season as a team captain, he tallied 71 tackles, two sacks, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries in 12 games. Djabome was a finalist for the Jon Cornish Trophy in 2024, which is awarded to the top Canadian playing NCAA football. His older brother, Rossini Sandjong-Djabome, played the 2021 season for the Elks after being drafted by them the year before. In the second round of the eight-round draft, the Elks took Benjamin Sangmuah with the 12th overall pick. The defensive back, who was born in Ghana and grew up in Toronto, was a four-year starter for the University of British Columbia and recently accepted an invitation to the Indianapolis Colts rookie mini-camp. Seven picks later, with a bonus second-round selection for leading the CFL in snaps by National players last season, the Elks took Louisville defensive lineman Wesley Bailey. The native of Ottawa had been fourth on the CFL scouting bureau’s Top 20 prospects but recently signed as an undrafted free agent with the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams. Rounding out the Elks’ selections were Alberta wide receiver Carter Kettyle (third round, 21st overall), Wilfrid Laurier offensive lineman Spencer Walsh (fourth round, 32nd overall), Queen’s linebacker Justin Pace (fourth round, 35th overall), Calgary offensive lineman Chris Pashula (sixth round, 50th overall), McGill quarterback Eloa Latendresse-Regimbald (seventh round, 58th overall) and Alberta offensive lineman Matthew Ljuden (seventh round, 59th overall). The Elks and their brethren in the nine-team CFL have one more talent draft left before training camps begin next month: Wednesday’s two-round CFL Global Draft of players from countries other than Canada and the United States.
