The Edmonton Elks released running back Kevin Brown, wide receiver Arkell Smith, offensive lineman Clayton Bradley, defensive lineman Jordan Strachan, defensive backs J.J. Ross and Jalen Green, and kicker Dean Faithfull from the practice squad on Saturday according to the CFL Transactions page.
Kevin Brown is five foot nine and weighs 205 pounds. The 28-year-old from Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, had 101 carries for 522 yards, and 22 catches for 138 yards in 12 games in 2024. The Edmonton Elks signed Brown on November 22, 2022. He played three seasons in Edmonton with 361 carries for 2,149 yards, 5 touchdowns, 74 catches for 536 yards, and one touchdown in 37 games.
Collegiately, Brown played two seasons at Highland Community College (2017-18) with 182 carries for 1,130 yards, 8 touchdowns, 24 catches for 91 yards, two touchdowns, and two tackles (2 solo) in 14 games for the Scotties. He was named Second Team All-KJCCC in 2018.
Then, Brown transferred to Incarnate Word (2019-21) with 353 carries for 2,451 yards, 20 touchdowns, 66 catches for 623 laps, and four touchdowns in 31 games for the Cardinals. He was named First Team All-Southland Conference.
Arkell Smith is six foot one and weighs 194 pounds. The 25-year-old from Carthage, Missouri, signed with the Edmonton Elks on April 2, 2024. Edmonton released him on May 17, 2024. He re-signed with the Elks on June 2, 2024. In 2024, Smith made 13 catches for 148 yards and one touchdown in five games.
Collegiately, Smith played six seasons at Central Missouri (2018-23) making 196 catches (14.4 AVG) for 2,816 yards (68.7 AVG), 34 touchdowns, nine carries for 65 yards, one kick return for 20 yards, and three tackles (3 solo) in 41 games for the Mules. He was named an All-MIAA Honorable Mention in 2021 and Second Team All-MIAA in 2022.
In 2023, Smith made 98 catches for 1,425 yards, 18 touchdowns, and one tackle (1 solo) in 13 games for the Central Missouri Mules on his way to being named First Team All-MIAA and First Team Division II All-American by the Associated Press.
Smith finished his collegiate career ranked second in receiving yards (2,816) while setting the school record for receiving touchdowns (34), and receptions (196).
Clayton Bradley is six foot six and weighs 310 pounds. The 28-year-old from Orange, California, played nine games for the San Diego Strike Force (IFL) in 2024.
San Diego’s offense averaged 46.17 points per game, 38.3 rushing yards per game, 183.8 passing yards per game, and 108 touchdowns finishing 11-7 and lost to the eventual IFL champion Arizona Rattlers in the Western Conference Finals 58-23. The Edmonton Elks signed Bradley on August 27, 2024, and spent the season on the practice squad.
Bradley signed with the Montreal Alouettes on May 18, 2022, and spent time on the practice squad. Then, Bradley signed with the Memphis Showboats on March 4, 2023. He started two games. Memphis was ranked sixth in passing yards per game (172.4), sixth in passing touchdowns (10), sixth in rushing yards per game (85.9), and seventh in rushing touchdowns (4).
Collegiately, Bradley played five seasons at USC (2015-19) playing tackle in 17 games for the Trojans. Then, Bradley transferred to the University of Nevada-Las Vegas in 2020 playing left tackle in four games for the Rebels.
Jordan Strachan is six foot five and weighs 245 pounds. The 25-year-old from Kingsland, Georgia, went undrafted in the 2024 NFL Draft and attended the Kansas City Chiefs and Tennessee Titans rookie minicamps. The Edmonton Elks signed Strachan on September 3, 2024, and spent the season on the practice squad.
Collegiately, Strachan played four seasons at Georgia State (2017-20) making 78 tackles (42 solo, 36 assists), 15.5 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks, one pass breakup, three forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries in 23 games for the Panthers. He was named Third Team All-Sun Belt Conference in 2020 and the Sun Belt Conference Honor Roll in 2019.
Then, Strachan transferred to South Carolina (2021-23) making 52 tackles (35 solo, 17 assists), 16 tackles for loss, 8 sacks, one interception for 44 yards, three pass breakups, and two forced fumbles in 27 games for the Gamecocks. In 2023, Strachan made 20 tackles (15 solo, 5 assists), 7 tackles for loss, four sacks, one pass breakup, and two forced fumbles in 12 games.
J.J. Ross is six foot three and weighs 195 pounds. The 23-year-old from Cincinnati, Ohio, went undrafted in the 2024 NFL Draft and attended the Detroit Lions rookie minicamp. The Edmonton Elks signed Ross on July 31, 2024, and spent the season on the practice squad.
Collegiately, Ross played two seasons at Eastern Illinois University (2019-20) making 42 tackles (35 solo, 7 assists), four interceptions for 55 yards, 11 pass breakups, and one fumble recovery in 18 games for the Panthers. In 2019, he was named Third Team All-American as a freshman making 24 tackles (19 solo, 5 assists), four interceptions for 55 yards, and six pass breakups in 12 games.
Then, Ross transferred to Western Illinois University (2021-23) making 113 tackles (80 solo, 33 assists), 5.5 tackles for loss, three interceptions, 18 pass breakups, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries, and one punt return in 30 games for the Leathernecks.
In 2023, Ross made 43 tackles (31 solo, 12 assists), 3.5 tackles for loss, one interception, four pass breakups, one fumble recovery, and one punt return in 11 games.
Jalen Green is six foot one and weighs 200 pounds. The 25-year-old from Houston, Texas, signed with the Houston Gamblers (USFL) in June 2023 but did not see any action. Then, Green signed with the Edmonton Elks on January 17, 2024. He was released by the Elks on May 11, 2024. The Elks re-signed him on August 27, 2024, and spent the season on the practice squad.
Collegiately, Green played three seasons at Texas (2018-20) with 46 tackles (33 solo, 13 assists), three tackles for loss, one interception for 41 yards, and eight pass breakups in 30 games for the Longhorns.
Then, he transferred to Mississippi State (2021-22) with 91 tackles (45 solo, 46 assists), 4.5 tackles for loss, four interceptions for 29 yards, 15 pass breakups, and two fumble recoveries in 25 games for the Bulldogs. After the 2022 season, Green played in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl in January 2023.
Dean Faithfull is six foot two and weighs 207 pounds. The 37-year-old from Fareham, England, was drafted by the Elks in the first round (2nd pick) of the 2023 CFL Global Draft.
In 2023, Faithfull had 61 kickoffs for 3,534 yards, made 23 of 28 field goals (82.1%) with a long of 46 yards, and converted 35 of 37 extra points in 18 games. In the 2024 preseason, Faithfull made four field goals with a long of 48 yards and made one extra point. The Elks released him on June 1, 2024, and re-signed him on June 2, 2024. In 2024, Faithfull had five kickoffs for 333 yards, and made 1 of 2 field goals (50%) with a long of 41 yards in one game.
Collegiately, Faithfull played soccer at Tauntons College in Southampton, England. Next, Faithfull went to Florida Tech (2007-10) playing 63 games as a defender with 17 points (4 goals, 9 assists). In 2010, he recorded a team-high 1,626 minutes played. After Florida Tech, Faithfull played two years in the second tier of the Australian soccer league system, followed by one year in the Liga FPD.
Then, Faithfull played one season at Colorado State University-Pueblo in 2021 with 44 kickoffs for 2,576 yards (58.5 AVG), 24 touchbacks, made 7 of 9 field goals (58.3%) with a long of 42 yards, and one tackle (1 solo) in nine games for the Thunderwolves.
