TORONTO – The Edmonton Elks have signed Americans Shawn Oakman (defensive lineman), Derrick Moncrief (linebacker), Noah Taylor (defensive lineman), along with National wide receiver Zach Mathis and Global linebacker Les Maruo, the club announced Sunday.
Oakman joins the Green and Gold after being released by the Toronto Argonauts on June 11. The six-foot-nine lineman spent three seasons with the Double Blue (2021-2023), where he won the 109th Grey Cup in 2022 and was named a two-time East Division All-Star (2021, 2022) and a CFL All-Star in his rookie season. In 45 career CFL games, the Philadelphia native has recorded 90 defensive tackles, 18 sacks and two forced fumbles.
TSN’s Dave Naylor first reported that Oakman had signed with the Elks.
Moncrief returns for his second stint in Edmonton after spending the last two seasons with the Saskatchewan Roughriders (2022-2023). The veteran linebacker suited up in nine games for the Elks in 2021, recording 24 total tackles and four sacks, while being named Edmonton’s nominee for Most Outstanding Defensive Player. ​ A one-time CFL All-Star (2019) and a two-time West Division All-Star (2019, 2022), Moncrief has played 75 regular season games with Saskatchewan Roughriders (2017-2019, 2022-2023) and the Elks (2021). The 31-year-old has amassed 248 defensive tackles, eight sacks, nine interceptions and one forced fumble.
Maruo played the last three seasons with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (2021-2023) after being drafted fourth overall in the 2021 Global Draft. The native of Yokkaichi, Japan registered 44 total tackles and two sacks in 38 career games for the Blue Bombers. Collegiately, Maruo started his career at Hutchinson Community College from 2014 to 2015 before transferring to the University of Texas at San Antonio (2016-2018).
Mathis was selected by the Elks in the Supplemental Draft held on June 29. The Florida native played his college football at North Dakota State University (2018-2023), where he won three FCS National Championships. Mathis earned a rookie minicamp invite with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in May.
Taylor started eight games for the University of North Carolina as a graduate student in 2022, totalling 28 tackles, 3.5 sacks and two pass breakups before suffering a season-ending right knee injury. Prior to joining UNC, the Maryland native played four seasons at the University of Virginia (2018-2021).
Additionally, the Elks have released Americans Reynard Ellis (linebacker) and Malik Flowers (wide reciever), along with National Josh Hagerty (defensive back).
The Elks return to action on Sunday, July 14, when they take on the Ottawa REDBLACKS at Commonwealth Stadium at 7:00 p.m. ET.
