The Edmonton Elks released linebacker Wesley Appolon and defensive lineman Cole Nelson on Sunday. In addition, the Elks placed running back Sewo Olonilua, and defensive backs Kyle Cass and James Wiggins Jr. on the suspended list.
Wesley Appolon is six foot four and weighs 225 pounds. The 27-year-old from Montreal, Quebec, was drafted by the Edmonton Elks in the first round (5th pick) in the 2022 CFL Draft. Appolon played in one game for the Elks before suffering a significant injury causing him to miss the rest of the 2022 and 2023 seasons.
Collegiately, Appolon played one season at Highland Community College in 2018 making 17 tackles (10 solo, 7 assists), two tackles for loss, and one pass breakup in 8 games for the Scotties.
Next, Appolon transferred to Butler Community College in 2019 making 34 tackles (16 solo, 18 assists), 4.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, five pass breakups, and one forced fumble in 11 games for the Grizzlies. Then, Appolon transferred to Tuskegee in 2021 making 53 tackles (25 solo, 28 assists), one tackle for loss, one sack, two pass breakups, and one fumble recovery in 10 games for the Golden Tigers.
Cole Nelson is six foot six and weighs 212 pounds. The 27-year-old from Ponoka, Alberta, had signed a two-year extension with the Elks on January 5, 2024. In 2023, Nelson made ten tackles (10 solo) in ten games for the Elks. The Elks drafted Nelson in the first round (5th pick) of the 2021 CFL Draft. In three seasons, Nelson has 13 tackles (13 solo) in 20 games, of which seven were starts.
Collegiately, Nelson played four seasons at the University of Alberta (2016-19) with 27 tackles (15 solo, 12 assists), one tackle for loss, one sack, and one fumble recovery in 20 games for the Golden Bears.
Sewo Olonilua is six foot three and 240 pounds. The 26-year-old from Kingwood, Texas, signed with the Elks on January 30, 2024.
In 2023, Olonilua was with the Houston Roughnecks (XFL) and signed with the Orlando Guardians (XFL) on June 26, 2023, but the Guardians were not included in the XFL and USFL merger that formed the United Football League (UFL). Before Houston, Olonilua signed with the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2020 and appeared in two regular-season games.
Collegiately, Olonilua played four seasons at TCU (2016-19) with 343 carries for 1,566 yards, 18 touchdowns, 56 catches for 352 yards, one touchdown, nine kick returns for 177 yards, and 11 tackles (7 solo, 4 assists) in 51 games for the Horned Frogs.
Kyle Cass is six foot two and weighs and weighs 195 pounds. The 25-year-old from New Orleans, Louisiana, signed with the Elks on May 7, 2024.
Collegiately, Cass played two seasons at Mississippi Delta Community College (2018-19) with 65 tackles (52 solo, 13 assists), four tackles for loss, one interception for 36 yards, and six pass breakups in 17 games for the Trojans.
Next, Cass transferred to Mississippi State (2020-21) appearing in one game recording no stats for the Bulldogs. Then, he transferred to Troy University in 2022 with 13 tackles (11 solo, 2 assists), one tackle for loss, one interception, and four pass breakups in 13 games for the Trojans.
Cass concluded his collegiate career at Valdosta State University in 2023 with 21 tackles (12 solo, 9 assists), 1.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions for six yards, and 11 pass breakups in nine games for the Blazers.
James Wiggins Jr. is six foot and weighs 205 pounds. The 26-year-old from Miami, Florida, made nine tackles (6 solo, 3 assists), two interceptions for 25 yards, one forced fumble, and two pass breakups in three games for the New Orleans Breakers in 2023. The Elks signed Wiggins on December 18, 2023, but released him a day later to pursue other opportunities, and later re-signed him on March 11, 2024.
In the 2023 South Division Finals against the Birmingham Stallions, Wiggins Jr. made three tackles (1 solo, 2 assists) and one fumble recovery. The Breakers signed Wiggins as a free agent on May 30, 2023.
Before New Orleans, Wiggins Jr. was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the seventh round (243rd pick) of the 2021 NFL Draft and was placed on the practice squad. Wiggins Jr. later had stints with the Kansas City Chiefs and Green Bay Packers before heading to New Orleans.
Collegiately, Wiggins Jr. played four seasons at Cincinnati (2017-20) with 87 tackles (62 solo, 25 assists), three tackles for loss, one sack, five interceptions for 83 yards, one touchdown, 16 pass breakups, two forced fumbles, and 13 kick returns for 272 yards in 32 games for the Bearcats. He was named Second All-AAC in 2018 and Second Team All-American in 2020.
