The Edmonton Elks are set to re-sign linebacker Nyles Morgan on Sunday and sign defensive lineman Jake Ceresna once free agency starts next Tuesday according to 3DownNation writers John Hodge and Justin Dunk.
Nyles Morgan is six foot and weighs 230 pounds. The 28-year-old from Chicago, Illinois, made 111 tackles, one tackle on special teams, two sacks, and one forced fumble in 18 games for the Elks in 2024.
The Chicago Bears signed Morgan as an undrafted free agent on May 11, 2018, and was released three days later. The Tennessee Titans signed Morgan on August 21, 2018. In 2018, he made eight tackles (5 solos, 3 assists) in two preseason games. The Titans released him on September 1, 2018.
In 2019, he played for the Arizona Hotshots (AAF) making 58 tackles (33 solos, 25 assists), and one forced fumble in eight games for the league ceased operations. The Seattle Dragons (XFL) drafted Morgan in the 2020 XFL Open Draft. In 2020, he made 18 tackles (13 solos, 5 assists), and a half sack in five games before the league shutdown due to COVID-19.
The Edmonton Elks signed Morgan on July 1, 2021. In four seasons with Edmonton, he made 325 tackles, eight tackles on special teams, seven sacks, one interception, and three forced fumbles in 52 games.
Collegiately, Morgan played four seasons at Notre Dame (2014-17) making 250 tackles (116 solos, 134 assists), 16.5 tackles for loss, six sacks, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery in 50 games for the Fighting Irish. In his final season, Morgan had 92 tackles (35 solos, 57 assists), seven tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and one forced fumble in 13 games. He was named Football Writers Association of America Freshman All-America Team in 2014.
Jake Ceresna is six foot five and weighs 295 pounds. The 30-year-old from New Fairfield, Connecticut, made 29 tackles, eight sacks, and one forced fumble in 17 games. In the 111th Grey Cup against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Ceresna made one tackle as Toronto beat Winnipeg 41-24 to win its second Grey Cup in three seasons.
The Ottawa Redblacks signed Ceresna on May 25, 2016, and was released on June 4, 2016. The New York Jets signed Ceresna as an undrafted free agent on August 14, 2016. He made two tackles (2 solos) in one preseason game for the Jets making two tackles (2 solo). The Jets released him on September 22, 2016.
The Redblacks re-signed Ceresna a short time later. In 2017, he made 18 tackles and two sacks in 14 games for the Redblacks. After the season, Ottawa traded him to the Edmonton Elks (then Eskimos) on February 8, 2018.
In 2018, Ceresna made 32 tackles, eight sacks, and one forced fumble in 18 games. Edmonton released him on January 2, 2019, and he signed with the New York Giants on the same day. In 2019, he made four tackles (3 solos, 1 assist) and one sack in four preseason games.
The Giants released him on August 31, 2019. The D.C. Defenders drafted Ceresna in the 2020 XFL Open Draft but he re-signed with the Edmonton Eskimos on November 5, 2019. In 2021, he made 34 tackles and five sacks in 12 games.
In 2022, he made 31 tackles, ten sacks, and four forced fumbles in 12 games for the Elks in 2022. He was named to his first CFL All-Star and CFL West All-Star in 2022. In 2023, he made 48 tackles, 12 sacks, and one forced fumble in 18 games.
The Elks traded Ceresna to the Toronto Argonauts on January 15, 2024, along with the rights to running back Khalan Laborn for wide receiver Kurleigh Gittens Jr. and a 2024 seventh-round draft pick. Ceresna played four seasons in Edmonton making 145 tackles, 35 sacks, and six forced fumbles in 56 games.
Collegiately, Ceresna played one season at Southern Connecticut State in 2012 making 19 tackles (9 solos, 10 assists) and one sack in 11 games for the Owls. Then, Ceresna transferred to Cortland State (2013-15) making 142 tackles (81 solos, 61 assists), 39.5 tackles for loss, 14.5 sacks, ten pass breakups, two forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries in 33 games for the Red Dragons.
