The Edmonton Elks signed Bethel University defensive back Devious Christmon and Grand View University offensive lineman Javion Caldwell on Wednesday. Edmonton also released wide receiver Dionte Sykes and defensive back Alex Brown.
Devious Christmon is six foot two and weighs 187 pounds. The 24-year-old from Franklin, Tennessee, made 44 tackles (30 solo, 14 assists), 3.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions for three yards, and 16 pass breakups in 12 games for the Wildcats in 2022.
In three seasons, Christmon made 120 tackles (72 solo, 48 assists), six tackles for loss, 11 interceptions for 59 yards, 28 pass breakups, one forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries in 30 games. He was named Mid-South Conference First Team All-Conference in 2022.
Javion Caldwell is six foot seven and weighs 325 pounds. The 23-year-old from Chicago, Illinois, started 14 games at Grand View University in 2022 playing left tackle for the Vikings and earned the Heart of America North All-Conference First Team.
Before Grand View, Caldwell played 12 games in two seasons at the University of Dubuque (2018-19) playing left tackle for the Spartans.
Alex Brown is five foot eleven and weighs 170 pounds. The 26-year-old from Holly Hill, South Carolina, signed with the Elks in November 2022. Before Edmonton, he was with the Detroit Lions in 2021.
Collegiately, Brown played five seasons at South Carolina State (2014-18) with 90 tackles, one sack, seven interceptions, 33 pass breakups, one fumble recovery, a punt return for 55 yards, and one touchdown in 31 games.
In his senior year, he had 42 tackles, one sack, four interceptions, and 12 pass breakups in 11 games. He was named Second-team All-Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. After college, Brown signed with the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent. He also had short stints with the Philadelphia Eagles and New York Jets.
Shortly after being released by the Jets, Brown signed with the Kansas City Chiefs and played three games with two tackles, and played three playoff games for the Chiefs on special teams, helping them win Super Bowl LIV over the San Francisco 49ers.
Unfortunately, in 2020, Brown tore his ACL in practice and missed the season. In 2021, he signed with the Detroit Lions but was released.
Dionte Sykes is six foot three and weighs 206 pounds. The 26-year-old from Chandler, Arizona, signed with the Elks in February. He was with the Elks in 2022 but was released before training camp.
Collegiately, Sykes played two seasons at Mesa Community College (2014,2016) with 56 catches for 600 yards, and 12 touchdowns in 14 games for the Thunderbirds.
Then, he transferred to Colorado State-Pueblo (2019,2021) with 26 catches for 507 yards, and one touchdown in 12 games for the Thunderwolves. In his final season, Sykes made nine catches for 110 yards, and one touchdown in seven games.
