The Edmonton Elks signed wide receivers Devron Harper, Jaan (J.J.) Laap, and Jalon Calhoun on Wednesday according to the CFL Transactions page.
Devron Harper is five foot nine and weighs 170 pounds. The 24-year-old from Conyers, Georgia, signed with the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent on May 10, 2024. The Vikings released him on June 17, 2024. The B.C. Lions signed Harper on September 23, 2024, and spent several weeks on the practice squad. The Lions released him on October 20, 2024.
Collegiately, Harper played two seasons at Gardner-Webb University (2019-20) making 67 catches for 824 yards, four touchdowns, seven carries for 14 yards, 40 kick returns for 999 yards, one touchdown, 20 punt returns for 219 yards, two touchdowns, one tackle (1 solo), and one forced fumble in 16 games for the Runnin’ Bulldogs.
Then, Harper transferred to Mercer (2021-23) making 159 catches for 1,929 yards, 13 touchdowns, 56 carries for 458 yards, six touchdowns, 55 kick returns for 1,346 yards, one touchdown, 44 punt returns for 625 yards, three touchdowns, and two tackles (2 solo) in 34 games for the Bears.
In 2023, Harper made 57 catches for 549 yards, two touchdowns, 26 carries for 185 yards, one touchdown, 22 kick returns for 503 yards, 27 punt returns for 271 yards, and two touchdowns in 13 games.
In 2022, Harper was named First Team All-SoCon, a Walter Payton Award Finalist, and he broke six school records. He finished the 2022 season making 78 catches for 987 yards, 10 touchdowns, 25 carries for 199 yards, four touchdowns, 18 kick returns for 523 yards, one touchdown, 10 punt returns for 169 yards, one touchdown, and two tackles (2 solo) in 11 games.
Jaan (J.J) Laap is six foot one and weighs 177 pounds. The 23-year-old from Stony Brook, New York, signed with the Los Angeles Rams as an undrafted free agent on May 13, 2024. In 2024, he made two catches for 50 yards, and one touchdown in three preseason games. The Rams released him on August 25, 2024.
Collegiately, Laap played four seasons at SUNY-Cortland (2019, 2021-23) making 167 catches for 3,125 yards, 32 touchdowns, and four tackles (4 solos) in 46 games for the Red Dragons. In 2023, he made a career-high 70 catches for 1,291 yards, 14 touchdowns, and one tackle (1 solo) in 15 games.
In 2023, Stagg Bowl, Laap made two catches for 75 yards, and one touchdown helping the Red Dragons beat North Central (IL) 38-37. He was named a two-time First Team All-Empire 8.
Jalon Calhoun is five foot eleven and weighs 195 pounds. The 23-year-old from Greenville, South Carolina, signed with the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent on May 10, 2024. He played three preseason games making four catches for 51 yards, and one kick return for 19 yards.
The Lions released him on August 27, 2024. The Hamilton Tiger-Cats signed Calhoun on September 11, 2024, and spent three weeks on the practice squad. The Ticats released him on October 1, 2024.
Collegiately, Calhoun played five seasons at Duke (2019-23) making 253 catches for 3,026 yards, 17 touchdowns, eight carries for 14 yards, one touchdown, completed 1 of 2 passes (50%) for 25 yards, one touchdown, two kick returns for 26 yards, 26 punt returns for 258 yards, and three tackles (2 solo, 1 assist) in 61 games for the Blue Devils.
In 2022, Calhoun made 62 catches for 873 yards, four touchdowns, two kick returns for 26 yards, and nine punt returns for 113 yards in 13 games. He was named Third Team All-ACC in 2022 as a receiver and return specialist. He was also a recipient of the team’s Offensive Skill Player of the Year Award.
