On Tuesday, the Edmonton Elks drafted linebacker Joel Dublanko in the first round (1st pick) of the 2024 CFL Draft.
Joel Dublanko is six foot three and weighs 240 pounds. The 26-year-old from Aberdeen, Washington, made 27 tackles (17 solo, 10 assists), half a sack, one pass breakup, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery in seven games, of which four were starts for the Philadelphia Stars (USFL) in 2023.
Before Philadelphia, Dublanko signed with the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent and later signed with the Seattle Seahawks. He attended the Seahawks training camp before being released. Then, Dublanko was drafted by the San Antonio Brahmas in the ninth round (71st pick) of the 2022 XFL Draft but was released on February 21, 2023.
Collegiately, Dublanko played five seasons at Cincinnati (2017-21) with 233 tackles (114 solo, 119 assists), 22 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, one interception for nine yards, two pass breakups, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, two kick returns for 24 yards, and one carry for 29 yards in 63 games for the Bearcats.
He was a team leader and captain in 2021 earning First-Team All-AAC after making 113 tackles (59 solo, 54 assists), 11.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, one interception for nine yards, two pass breakups, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery in 14 games.
