The Edmonton Elks signed linebacker Les Maruo on Saturday according to his agent Darren J. Wilson.
Les Maruo is six foot and weighs 225 pounds. The 28-year-old from Yokkaichi, Mie, Japan, started his professional football career playing for the Asahi Soft Drink Challengers of the X-League in 2019. Then, Maruo was drafted by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the first rounds (4th pick) in the 2021 CFL Draft.
In his rookie year, he made six tackles on special teams as the Blue Bombers won the 108th Grey Cup championship in 2021. In 2022, Maruo made 14 tackles, seven tackles on special teams, and one sack in 17 games for the Blue Bombers in 2022. Last season, Maruo made 10 tackles, seven tackles on special teams, and one sack in 14 games.
Collegiately, Maruo played two seasons at Hutchinson Community College (2014-15) with 107 tackles (38 solo, 69 assists), 12.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, and one fumble recovery in 22 games for the Blue Dragons.
Then, he transferred to the University of Texas-San Antonio (2017-18) with 98 tackles (54 solo, 44 assists), six tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, one interception, two pass breakups, and two fumble recoveries in 23 games for the Roadrunners.
