The Edmonton Elks signed quarterback Todd Centeio, running back Brian Herrien, and defensive linemen Eric Black and Chauncey Manac on Thursday.
Todd Centeio is six foot and weighs 221 pounds. The 25-year-old from West Palm Beach, Florida, had signed with the Orlando Guardians (XFL) in 2023 but the XFL merged with the USFL to create the United Football League (UFL) and the Guardians were not included in the merger.
Collegiately, Centeio played three seasons at Temple (2017-19) completing 48 of 71 passes (68%) for 613 yards, seven touchdowns, one interception, 71 carries for 235 yards, one touchdown, and one catch for seven yards in 24 games for the Owls. He was named to the All-AAC Academic Team in 2018.
Next, he transferred to Colorado State (2020-21) completing 243 of 416 passes (58%) for 3,167 yards, 16 touchdowns, 11 interceptions, 156 carries for 529 yards, two touchdowns, and one catch for 12 yards in 15 games for the Rams.
Then, he transferred to James Madison in 2022 completing 181 of 284 passes (64%) for 2,697 yards, 25 touchdowns, five interceptions, 94 carries for 393 yards, and seven touchdowns in ten games for the Dukes. He was named Sun Belt Conference Offensive Player of the Year, Sun Belt Conference Newcomer of the Year, and Second Team All-Sun Belt Conference quarterback in 2022.
Brian Herrien is six foot and weighs 210 pounds. The 25-year-old from Douglasville, Georgia, played two games for the Arlington Renegades (XFL) in 2023 with seven carries for 31 yards, five catches for 47 yards, and one kick return for 25 yards helping the Renegades win the XFL Championship over the D.C. Defenders. The Renegades signed Herrien as a free agent on March 22, 2023.
Before Arlington, Herrien signed with the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2020. He also had a brief stint with the D.C. Defenders (XFL) in 2023.
Collegiately, Herrien played four seasons at Georgia (2016-19) with 277 carries for 1,413 yards, 13 touchdowns, 28 catches for 167 yards, two touchdowns, and ten kick returns for 213 yards in 52 games for the Bulldogs. He helped Georgia win three straight SEC Eastern Division titles.
Eric Black is six foot and weighs 247 pounds. The 24-year-old from Rochester, New York, attended the New York Giants rookie minicamp in 2023.
Collegiately, Black played four seasons at Buffalo (2018-21) with 36 tackles (18 solo, 18 assists), eight tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries in 29 games for the Bulls. He recorded a pair of sacks in the 2021 Camellia Bowl.
Then, he transferred to Stony Brook in 2022 with 19 tackles (11 solo, 8 assists), seven tackles for loss, five sacks, four pass breakups, and one forced fumble in ten games for the Seawolves.
Chauncey Manac is six foot three and weighs 246 pounds. The 26-year-old from Homerville, Georgia, was drafted by the Houston Roughnecks (XFL) in 2023 but did not record any stats. Before Houston, Manac signed with the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 2022. He played two preseason games for the Packers with one tackle (1 solo) and one sack against the New Orleans Saints.
Collegiately, Manac was a member of the scout team in his freshman year at Georgia in 2016. Next, he transferred to Garden City Community College in 2017 with 25 tackles (17 solo, 8 assists), seven tackles for loss, five sacks, and one forced fumble in seven games for the Broncbusters.
Then, he transferred to Louisiana-Lafayette (2018-21) with 166 tackles (97 solo, 69 assists), 33.5 tackles for loss, 19.5 sacks, one interception, four pass breakups, three forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries in 47 games for the Ragin’ Cajuns. He was named Second Team All-Sun Belt Conference in 2021.
