The Edmonton Elks released former Stars defensive back Marcus Lewis, linebacker JaQuan Artis, quarterback Ivory Durham, kicker Rafael Gaglianone, defensive lineman Ronald Ollie, and wide receiver Aidan Pearce.
Marcus Lewis is six foot one and weighs 196 pounds. The 26-year-old from Washington, DC, signed with the Elks in April. Before Edmonton, Lewis had 13.5 tackles and two pass breakups in six games last season with Philadelphia. After he was released by Philadelphia, he was claimed off waivers by the New Jersey Generals.
The Stars drafted Lewis in the ninth round (71st pick) in the 2022 USFL Draft. Before joining the Stars, Lewis played four games for the Ottawa Redblacks in 2021 with nine tackles. Then in February, Lewis signed with the Edmonton Elks before being released before training camp.
Collegiately, Lewis played two seasons at Florida State (2015-16) with 21 tackles, two pass breakups, one fumble recovery, and one interception in 12 games. Then, he transferred to Maryland (2017-18) with 44 tackles, two interceptions, six pass breakups, and one fumble recovery in 16 games.
JaQuan Artis is six foot two and weighs 245 pounds. The 25-year-old from Kinston, North Carolina, dominated the IFL with 40 tackles, 9.5 sacks, two pass breakups, three forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery in 13 games to help the Wranglers capture their first IFL Championship in 2022 over the Quad City Steamwheelers 47-45.
In addition, he was named IFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year, IFL All-Rookie Team, and All-IFL First Team in 2022.
After the season, Artis was drafted by the Houston Roughnecks (XFL) in the 11th round (84th pick) in the 2022 XFL Draft.
Collegiately, Artis played four seasons at Lenoir-Rhyne University (2016-19) with 224 tackles, 29 sacks, two pass breakups, five forced fumbles, and five fumble recoveries in 42 games for the Bears.
In his final season, Artis made 82 tackles, 14.5 sacks, two pass breakups, and three forced fumbles in 14 games. He was voted SAC Defensive Player of the Year and named a Division II Second Team All-American by the American Football Coaches Association.
Ivory Durham is five foot eleven and weighs 204 pounds. The 22-year-old from Jacksonville, Florida, signed with the Elks in March. Before Edmonton, Durham completed 193 of 364 (53%) passes for 2,770 yards, 27 touchdowns, six interceptions, 88 carries for 629 yards, and five touchdowns in 11 games for the Blazers in 2022.
He was named Offensive Player of the Week (9/19/22) after completing 14 of 27 (51.9%) passes for 359 yards, six touchdowns, and ten carries for 113 yards in the Blazers’ 55-7 win over Miles. In addition, he was named Second Team All-Gulf South Conference and led the Blazers to make an appearance in the Division II National Championship Game.
Durham played four seasons at Valdosta State (2018-19, 2021-21) completing 476 of 840 (56.7%) passes for 6,804 yards, 69 touchdowns, 19 interceptions, 298 carries for 2,403 yards, 27 touchdowns, 16 catches for 122 yards, and one touchdown in 50 games.
In 2021, he was named GSC All-Second Team and D2CCA Second Team All-Region after completing 244 of 406 (60.1%) passes for 3,425 yards, 32 touchdowns, 11 interceptions, 128 carries for 1,012 yards, 13 touchdowns, one catch for four yards, and one touchdown in 14 games.
Rafael Gaglianone is five foot eleven and weighs 240 pounds. The 28-year-old from Sao Paulo, Brazil, signed with the Elks in January. He was on the Elks practice squad in 2022. Edmonton drafted Gaglianone in the second round (17th pick) in the 2022 CFL Global Draft.
Collegiately, Gaglianone played five seasons at Wisconsin (2014-18) making 70 of 92 field goals (76%). His longest field goal went for 52 yards in 2017 and had two kickoffs for 120 yards. He was named Second-team All-Big Ten in 2017 and is a two-time All-Big Ten honorable mention (2016, 2018).
Ronald Ollie is six foot two and weighs 310 pounds. The 26-year-old from Shubuta, Mississippi, signed with the Elks in December. Before Edmonton, Ollie attended the Toronto Argonauts training camp in 2021 and attended the Oakland Raiders training camp in 2019.
Collegiately, Ollie played two seasons at East Mississippi Community College (2014-15) where he was the star of Netflix’s “Last Chance U” show. In 2015, he was named 2015 MACJC All-State Second Team Defense after making 30 tackles, one interception, three fumble recoveries, and one touchdown in nine games.
Then, Ollie transferred to Nicholls State (2016, 2018) with 74 tackles, seven sacks, three pass breakups, two fumble recoveries, and one blocked kick in 22 games. He was an All-Southland Honorable Mention in 2018.
Aidan Pearce is six foot one and weighs 190 pounds. The 23-year-old from North Vancouver, British Columbia, signed with the Elks last week. Before Edmonton, Pearce made 20 catches for 238 yards, one touchdown, and two kick returns for 35 yards in 10 games for the Red Leafs in 2022.
Pearce played four seasons at Simon Fraser University (2018-19, 2021-22) with 27 catches for 394 yards, two touchdowns, and 22 kick returns for 359 yards in 25 games.
