The Edmonton Elks signed wide receiver Hergy Mayala, and offensive linemen Shane Richards and Hunter Steward on Tuesday.
Hergy Mayala is six foot one and weighs 208 pounds. The 28-year-old from Congo, but grew up in Montreal, Quebec, made two tackles on special teams in two games for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in 2023.
The Ticats signed Mayala as a free agent on October 6, 2023. In addition, he made seven catches for 118 yards in ten games for the Montreal Alouettes in 2023 before he was released on August 29, 2023.
The Calgary Stampeders drafted Mayala in the first round (8th pick) of the 2019 CFL Draft. In his rookie season, Mayala caught 38 passes for 562 yards, and five touchdowns for the Stampeders. In 2021, Mayala caught 29 passes for 284 yards before signing with Montreal as a free agent in 2022.
In 2022, Mayala made 33 catches for 409 yards, and two touchdowns in 18 games for the Alouettes before he was released. He signed with the New Orleans Breakers on February 15, 2023, but was released at the end of training camp.
Collegiately, Mayala played four seasons at the University of Connecticut (2015-18) with 113 catches for 1,352 yards, 12 touchdowns, and four tackles (3 solo, 1 assist) in 43 games for the Huskies.
Shane Richards is six foot eight and weighs 325 pounds. The 28-year-old from Kingston, Jamaica, played four games for the Toronto Argonauts in 2023.
In 2023, Toronto’s offense ranked second in offensive average points (29.3), second in offensive touchdowns (56), second in average net offense (377.8), fourth in average rushing yards (113.7), fourth in average passing yards (272.2), and first the least number of sacks allowed (19).
The Argonauts drafted Richards in the first round (1st pick) of the 2019 CFL Draft. Richards has played 42 games, of which 11 were starts in 42 games.
In 2021, Richards played for the Calgary Colts (CJFL) in 2021 playing four games making three tackles and one tackle on special teams.
Collegiately, Richards played one season at New Mexico Military in 2014 playing eight games for the Broncos. Next, he transferred to Oklahoma State (2016-18) playing both right guard and right tackle in 13 games for the Cowboys. The Cowboys averaged 205.8 rushing yards in the games that Richards started.
Hunter Steward is six foot six and weighs 315 pounds. The 32-year-old from Calgary, Alberta, played 17 games for the Ottawa Redblacks in 2023.
In 2023, the Redblacks’ offense finished sixth in average offense points (20.7), tied seventh in offensive touchdowns (33), last in average net offense (318.8), second in average rushing yards (127.6), last in average passing yards (220.4), and last in sacks allowed (71).
The Redblacks signed Steward as a free agent on February 16, 2023. He played 18 games for the Redblacks at left guard in 2022. Before Ottawa, the B.C. Lions drafted Steward in the first round (6th pick) in the 2013 CFL Draft. Steward played 89 games in seven seasons with the Lions.
Collegiately, Steward played three seasons at Liberty University (2010-12) playing left tackle for the Flames. He spent his first season as a defensive lineman before switching to the offensive line a year later.
