EDMONTON – The Edmonton Elks announced Monday they have released American Kai Locksley (QB) while signing Nationals Josiah Schakel (LB) and Mario Villamizar (FB) to the practice roster.
Locksley, 26, appeared in the first three games of the season for the Elks, rushing for three yards on nine carries. As a rookie in 2022, the Ft. Washington, MD, native completd five of eight passes for 50 yards, made 17 receptions for 145 yards, and ran for 117 yards on 48 carries with seven rushing touchdowns.
𝗕𝗘𝗦𝗧 𝗜𝗡 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗡𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡
Congrats to Josiah Schakel, who has been named the 2021 @USPORTSca Defensive Player of the Year!!Schakel is the first @UABearsFootball player to win the President’s Trophy since Mark Singer in 1989.
📝: https://t.co/uITqrmZ8t2 pic.twitter.com/kFD0nqYAQf
— UAlberta Golden Bears & Pandas (@BearsandPandas) December 3, 2021
Schakel returns to Edmonton, where he had a standout career with the University of Alberta Golden Bears. The Sherwood Park product made his CFL debut in 2022 with the Calgary Stampeders, suiting up for seven games. A 2022 second-round(14th overall) draft pick by the Stampeders, Schakel was named U Sports Defensive Player of the Year in 2021.
Villamizar was drafted in the sixth round (51st overall) by the B.C. Lions in 2019 and played 40 games for the club over three seasons. The St. Catharine’s, Ont., native attended Wilfrid Laurier University, where he was a member of the 2016 Yates Cup champions and a Second-Team OUA All-Star in 2018.
The Elks return to action on Friday when they visit the Ottawa RedBlacks at TD Place. Kickoff is set for 5:30 p.m.