The Edmonton Elks acquired wide receiver Kurleigh Gittens Jr. and a 2024 seventh-round draft pick from the Toronto Argonauts on Monday for defensive lineman Jake Ceresna and the rights to running back Khalan Laborn.
Kurleigh Gittens Jr. is five foot eleven and weighs 191 pounds. The 26-year-old from Ottawa, Ontario, made 35 catches for 416 yards, one touchdown, and one kick return for eight yards in ten games for the Argonauts in 2023. In 2022, Gittens Jr. made 81 catches for 1,101 yards, five touchdowns, five carries for 21 yards, and 17 punt returns for 307 yards in 18 games helping them win the 109th Grey Cup over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
The Argonauts drafted Gittens in the third round (23rd pick) in the 2019 CFL Draft. In his rookie year, Gittens made one catch for three yards, 14 kick returns for 230 yards, two punt returns for eight yards, and one missed field goal return for 12 yards in 13 games.
In four seasons in Toronto. Gittens has made 167 catches for 2,132 yards, ten touchdowns, eight carries for 14 yards, 32 kick returns for 545 yards, two punt returns for eight yards, and one missed field goal return for 12 yards in 54 games. He is a two-time CFL East All-Star (2021-22) and a CFL All-Star in 2022.
Collegiately, Gittens played four seasons at Wilfrid Laurier University (2015-18) with 205 catches for 2,682 yards, 15 touchdowns, three carries for 45 yards, 44 kick returns for 1,081 yards, one touchdown, and four punt returns for 101 yards in 32 games for the Golden Hawks.
Gittens was a three-time OUA Men’s Football First Team All-Star, two-time U SPORTS Men’s Football First Team All-Canadian, and was part of Wilfrid Laurier’s 2016 Men’s Football OUA Championship team.
Jake Ceresna is six foot five and weighs 295 pounds. The 29-year-old from New Fairfield, Connecticut, made 48 tackles, 12 sacks, and one forced fumble in 18 games for the Elks in 2023. 31 tackles, ten sacks, and four forced fumbles in 12 games for the Elks in 2022. He was named to his first CFL All-Star and CFL West All-Star in 2022.
Ceresna played five seasons in Edmonton with 163 tackles, 37 sacks, and six forced fumbles in 75 games. Before Edmonton, Ceresna signed with the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent in 2016. He played one preseason game for the Jets making two tackles (2 solo). Later, he signed with the Ottawa Redblacks in 2017. He made 18 tackles and two sacks in 14 games for the Redblacks. After the season, Ottawa traded him to the Elks (then Eskimos) in 2018.
In 2018, Ceresna had 32 tackles, eight sacks, and one forced fumble in 18 games. Afterward, the Elks released him to pursue an NFL opportunity. Later, he signed with the New York Giants. He made four tackles (3 solo, 1 assist) and one sack in four preseason games for the Giants. After he was released, Ceresna was drafted by the D.C. Defenders but elected to return to the CFL.
Collegiately, Ceresna played one season at Southern Connecticut State (2012) with 19 tackles (9 solo, 10 assists) and one sack in 11 games for the Owls. Then, Ceresna transferred to Cortland State (2013-15) with 142 tackles (81 solo, 61 assists), 39.5 tackles for loss, 14.5 sacks, ten pass breakups, two forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries in 33 games for the Red Dragons.
Khalan Laborn is five foot eleven and weighs 212 pounds. The 24-year-old from Virginia Beach, Virginia, signed with the Elks on September 6, 2023, and was placed on the practice squad. He was released by the Elks on October 18, 2023.
Laborn played one season at Marshall University in 2022 with 302 carries for 1,513 yards, 16 touchdowns, and 16 catches for 116 yards in 13 games for the Thundering Herd.
Before Marshall, Laborn played three seasons at Florida State (2018-20) with 63 carries for 297 yards, four touchdowns, and 11 catches for 103 yards in 12 games for the Seminoles.
