EDMONTON — The Elks on Monday announced the signings of Americans Desmond Bessent (OL), Kyle Cass (DB), Lyndell Hudson II (OL), Obadiah Jones (QB), and Travis Rudolph (WR) — as well as Nationals Hunter Brown (WR) and Alexander Hall (OL).
Bessent attended training camp with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 2023 but was released following the preseason. Collegiately, Bessent played at the University at Buffalo in 2022, where he started 13 games and was named All-MAC Third Team. Prior to joining the Bulls, he spent four seasons at San Diego State (2018-21).
Brown played four seasons at Carleton University (2020-23). In his last season with the Ravens, the six-foot-one receiver had 30 receptions for 497 yards and six touchdowns.
Cass appeared in nine games at Valdosta State University in 2023, racking up 21 total tackles, two interceptions, and 11 pass deflections for the Blazers. Prior to attending Valdosta State, the native of New Orleans, La. played one season at Troy University (2022) and two seasons at Mississippi State (2020- 21).
Hall, an Ottawa native, spent four years with the Concordia Stingers (2019-20, 2022-23), where he was an important part of the Stingers rushing offence that ranked first in the RSEQ with an average of 6.4 yards per carry. The six-foot-three lineman also took part in the U Sports East-West Bowl in 2022.
Hudson, a six-foot-five, 325-pound lineman, most recently attended the University of Florida (2023), where he suited up in seven games, including two starts for the Gators. Prior to joining to the Gators, Hudson spent four years at Florida International University (2019-22), appearing in 36 career games for the Panthers.
Jones played four seasons at Southern Arkansas University (2019, 2021-23), passing for 3,963 yards and 29 touchdowns in 40 career games for the Muleriders. In his senior year, the Texas native rushed for 1,025 yards and 17 touchdowns in 12 games, while being named All-Great American Conference Honourable Mention in 2019.
Rudolph, 28, returns to the CFL after a brief stint with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 2020. The West Palm Beach, Fla., native signed with the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2017 after three seasons at Florida State (2014-16). In his rookie season with the Giants, he registered eight receptions for 101 yards before being released the following season. Rudolph would go on to spend time with the Miami Dolphins in 2018 and most recently signed with the Orlando Guardians of the XFL in 2023.
Additionally, the Elks placed American quarterback Steven Montez on the retired list and released American offensive lineman Antonio Garcia.
2024 marks the 75th season of pro football in Edmonton, as the Elks open a new CFL campaign on Saturday, June 8 against the Saskatchewan Roughriders at Commonwealth Stadium. Season tickets are available now, with all youth season tickets $75 (17 and under) and adult tickets starting at $175.
The Edmonton Elks are proud members of the Canadian Football League, playing their home games at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton, Alberta.
2024 marks 75 seasons of Green and Gold football, as the Club celebrates it’s tradition of excellence (Grey Cup championships: 1954-56, 1975, 1978-82, 1987, 1993, 2003, 2005, 2015), while looking to the future. Edmonton kicks off the 2024 CFL season at home on Saturday, June 8.
Elks Football…Our Team. Our City.