The Edmonton Elks signed former Saskatchewan Roughriders defensive lineman A.C. Leonard to a one-year contract on Wednesday. In addition, the Elks re-signed defensive lineman Christian Rector to a one-year contract extension through the 2023 season.
A.C. Leonard, a 31-year-old from Palatka, Florida, was released by the Roughriders on Tuesday. He made 33 tackles, three sacks, and one forced fumble in 13 games for the Roughriders in 2022. It was his second stint in Saskatchewan. This will be Leonard’s first season in Edmonton.
Leonard was scheduled to be the highest-paid defensive lineman in the CFL in 2023. According to 3DownNation’s John Hodge, Leonard was due a $40,000 off-season roster bonus on February 1st.
Leonard went to the CFL in 2015 with the BC Lions after spending time in the NFL with the Minnesota Vikings (2014), the FXFL’s Brooklyn Bolts (2014), Hudson Valley Fort (2015), and the Arena Football League with the New Orleans Voodoo (2014-15), and Jacksonville Sharks (2016).
In 97 career games with the BC Lions (2015), Saskatchewan Roughriders (2016-17, 2021-22), and Ottawa Redblacks (2018). Leonard has 237 tackles, 39 sacks, one interception, and six forced fumbles. In 2018, Leonard was named a CFL East All-Star.
Collegiately, Leonard played one season with the Florida Gators in 2011 as a tight end with eight catches for 99 yards in nine games. Then, he transferred to Tennessee State (2012-13) with 85 catches for 1,174 yards and 11 touchdowns for the Tigers.
Christian Rector, a 25-year-old from South Pasadena, California, had 13 tackles and three sacks in eight games for the Elks in 2022. This will be his third season in Edmonton. The Elks signed Rector as a free agent in 2021. In his first season, Rector made 12 tackles, four sacks, and two forced fumbles in 11 games.
Collegiately, Rector played four seasons at USC (2016-19) with 107 tackles, 13 sacks, one interception, five pass breakups, three forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries in 46 games for the Trojans.
In his final season, Rector had 19 tackles, one sack, one interception, and two pass breakups in ten games. He is a two-time AP All-Pac-12 second team (2017-18), and a CollegeFootballNews.com All-Pac-12 first team in 2017.
