The Edmonton Elks signed offensive lineman Tairiq Stewart and defensive lineman Eyabi Okie-Anoma on Thursday. The Elks also reactivated Kyle Cass from the suspended list while releasing offensive lineman Patrick Davis, defensive lineman Aaron Adeoye, and defensive back Malik Jones.
Tairiq Stewart is six foot six and weighs 300 pounds. The 24-year-old from Cleveland, Ohio, went undrafted in the 2024 NFL Draft and attended the New England Patriots rookie minicamp last week.
Collegiately, Stewart played two seasons at ASA Brooklyn College (2018-19) playing 12 games for the Avengers. In 2019, ASA Brooklyn College’s offense averaged 46.7 points per game, which was second-best in the nation, 463.4 yards per game, which was fourth-best in the country, and 254.6 rushing yards per game, ranking second-best in the nation. The Avengers finished the season 8-2.
Next, Stewart transferred to West Virginia in 2020 but he did not play for the Mountaineers. Then, Stewart transferred to North Carolina A&T (2021-23) playing right tackle in 29 games for the Aggies. In 2022, North Carolina A&T’s running backs rushed for 2,042 yards, and Stewart was named First Team All-Big South.
In 2023, North Carolina A&T’s offense averaged 16.09 points per game, 159.2 rushing yards per game, 104.91 passing yards per game, 264.1 total yards per game, and 21 touchdowns. He was named to the Second Team All-CAA in 2023. After the season, he participated in the 2024 HBCU Legacy Bowl.
Eyabi Okie-Anoma is six foot five and weighs 244 pounds. The 24-year-old from Baltimore, Maryland, went undrafted in the 2024 NFL Draft and signed with the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent.
Collegiately, Okie-Anoma played one season at Alabama in 2018 making nine tackles (6 solo, 3 assists) and two tackles for loss in 12 games. Next, Okie-Anoma transferred to Houston (2019-20) but never played a game for the Cougars.
Then, Okie-Anoma transferred to the University of Tennessee-Martin in 2021 making 36 tackles (14 solo, 22 assists), 9.5 tackles for loss, six sacks, one forced fumble, and one blocked kick in 12 games for the Skyhawks. He was named Third Team All-OVC by Phil Steele and the OVC All-Newcomer Team.
After UT Martin, Okie-Anoma headed to Michigan in 2022 making 12 tackles (5 solo, 7 assists), 3.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, and two pass breakups in nine games for the Wolverines.
Finally, Okie-Anoma concluded his collegiate career at Charlotte in 2023 making 56 tackles (23 solo, 33 assists), 11.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, one pass breakup, and one forced fumble in 10 games for the 49ers. He led the team in sacks and tackles for loss on his way to being named Second Team All-AAC in 2023.
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.
Patrick Davis is six foot five and weighs 312 pounds. The 28-year-old from Gatineau, Quebec, played six games for the Alouettes in 2023 before he was released on October 12, 2023. Davis signed with the Elks on December 14, 2023.
The Alouettes drafted Davis in the fourth round (28th pick) of the 2021 CFL Draft. Davis played two seasons in Montreal playing 24 games, of which two were starts.
Collegiately, Davis played four seasons at Syracuse (2017-21) playing guard and tackle in 25 games for the Orange. In 2017 and 2018, Davis helped Syracuse’s punt team lead the ACC in net average yards (39.1 in 2018 and 41.3 in 2017).
Aaron Adeoye is six foot six and weighs 273 pounds. The 30-year-old from Marion, Illinois, played for the Salina Liberty (CIFL) in 2017, The Spring League in 2018, and played for the Birmingham Iron (AAF) in 2019. In 2019, Adeoye made 20 tackles (14 solo, 6 assists) and half a sack in eight games before the AAF folded.
Next, Adeoye spent time with the Baltimore Ravens, New York Jets, and the Green Bay Packers before he was drafted by the Birmingham Stallions (USFL) in the second round (11th pick) of the 2022 USFL Draft. In 2022, Adeoye made 12 tackles (5 solo, 7 assists) in four games for the Stallions winning the USFL Championship over the Philadelphia Stars.
In 2023, Adeoye was drafted in the fifth round (35th pick) in the 2022 XFL Supplemental Draft. In 2023, Adeoye made seven tackles (5 solo, 2 assists) and 1.5 sacks in two games for the Arlington Renegades (XFL) in 2023 winning the XFL Championship over the D.C. Defenders. Adeoye signed with the Edmonton Elks on February 1, 2024.
Collegiately, Adeoye played basketball at Ball State, John A. Logan College, Western Kentucky, and Southeast Missouri State. In 2015, Adeoye switched to football making two tackles (2 assists) in five games for the Redhawks.
Malik Jones is six foot one and weighs 185 pounds. The 23-year-old from Crystal Springs, Mississippi, signed with the Edmonton Elks on January 30, 2024.
Collegiately, Jones played one season at Northwest Mississippi Community College in 2019 with six tackles (4 solo, 2 assists) in eight games for the Rangers.
Next, he transferred to Copiah-Lincoln Community College (2020-21) with 39 tackles (28 solo, 11 assists), three tackles for loss, half a sack, one fumble recovery, two interceptions, two pass breakups, and five kick returns for 120 yards in 12 games for the Wolves.
Then, he transferred to Delta State (2022-23) with 81 tackles (59 solo, 22 assists), 5.5 tackles for loss, seven interceptions for 161 yards, one touchdown, 20 pass breakups, and one blocked punt in 23 games for the Statesmen.
