The Edmonton Elks re-signed offensive lineman Tomas Jack-Kurdyla to a two-year contract extension through the 2025 season along with signing offensive lineman Antonio Garcia and defensive back Brendon White on Wednesday.
Tomas Jack-Kurdyla is six foot four and weighs 300 pounds. The 27-year-old from Montreal, Quebec, started in all 18 games for the Elks in 2023. In 2023, Edmonton’s offense ranked last in points per game (20.4), fifth in touchdowns (41), seventh in average total yards (324.9), third in average rushing yards (123.6), eighth in average passing yards (221.1), and fifth in sacks allowed (52).
The Elks drafted Jack-Kurdyla in the first round (4th pick) of the 2020 CFL Draft. In three seasons with Edmonton, Jack-Kurdyla has played 42 games, of which 36 were starts.
Collegiately, Jack-Kurdyla played four seasons at the University of Buffalo (2016-19) playing 48 games at right guard with one tackle (1 solo) for the Bulls. In 2019, the Bulls’ offense rushed for a school-record 3,256 yards and allowed a program-low eight sacks.
Antonio Garcia is six foot seven and weighs 305 pounds. The 30-year-old from Houston, Texas, played two games for the Philadelphia Stars (USFL) in 2023. Before Philadelphia, he was drafted by the Vegas Vipers (XFL) in the first round (4th pick) of the 2022 XFL Draft and played one game. He later spent time with the D.C. Defenders (XFL) playing one game.
The New England Patriots drafted Garcia in the third round (85th pick) of the 2017 NFL Draft. Garcia also spent time with the New York Jets, Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins, Saskatchewan Roughriders, and Edmonton Elks. He played two preseason games for the Elks in 2022.
Collegiately, Garcia played 43 games in five seasons at Troy (2012-16), of which 40 were starts for the Trojans. In his senior season, Garcia did not allow a sack in over 900 offensive snaps to lead an offensive line that led in the country in the fewest sacks allowed (9).
In addition, Garcia led an offensive line that paved the way for Jordan Chunn to become the ninth 1,000-yard rusher in school history. Furthermore, Chunn also set the school career rushed touchdown record and finished one shy of the single-season record.
Troy averaged 33.7 points and 429.6 yards per game. He was named All-Sun Belt First Team in 2016 and All-Sun Belt Honorable Mention in 2015.
Brendon White is six foot two and weighs 220 pounds. The 25-year-old from Powell, Ohio, played for the Massachusetts Pirates (IFL) in 2023 with 57 tackles (25 solo, 32 assists), 3.5 tackles for loss, one sack, one pass breakup, and one blocked kick in six games.
In addition, he played one game for the New Jersey Generals (USFL) in 2023 against the Pittsburgh Maulers recording no stats, and also was with the St. Louis Battlehawks (XFL). Before Massachusetts, White signed with the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent in 2021.
Collegiately, White played three seasons at Ohio State (2017-19) with 66 tackles (43 solo, 23 assists), six tackles for loss, one sack, one interception for 49 yards, and three pass breakups in 20 games for the Buckeyes. In the 2019 Rose Bowl, White made eight tackles (8 solo), two tackles for loss, and one pass breakup against Washington on his way to being named the Rose Bowl Defensive MVP.
Then, White transferred to Rutgers in 2020 with 40 tackles (17 solo, 23 assists), one interception for 13 yards, three pass breakups, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery in five games for the Scarlet Knights.
