The Edmonton Elks welcomed back punter Jake Julien on Wednesday by signing him to a three-year contract that runs through the 2027 season. The Elks also signed wide receivers Jalon Calhoun and Ayir Asante to the practice squad.
Jake Julien is six foot two and weighs 190 pounds. The 26-year-old from Barrie, Ontario, signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on January 18, 2025. He attended training camp and was released on August 5, 2025.
The New England Patriots signed Julien as an undrafted free agent on May 9, 2022. In 2022, he punted the ball two times for 81 yards (40.5 AVG) with two from inside the 20-yard line. The Patriots released him on August 16, 2022.
The Ottawa Redblacks drafted Julien in the fourth round (31st pick) of the 2021 CFL Draft. They signed him on May 8, 2023. In 2023, he punted the ball 10 times for 444 yards (44.4 AVG) in two preseason games. The Redblacks released him on June 3, 2023.
The Edmonton Elks signed Julien on June 3, 2023. Julien punted the ball 121 times for 5,490 yards (45.4 AVG) with a long of 85 yards in 18 games. In 2024, he punted the ball 107 times for 5,773 yards (54.0 AVG) with a long of 87 yards in 18 games. He was named to the All-CFL Team and a CFL West All-Star after the season. The Elks released him on January 15, 2025.
Collegiately, Julien played five seasons at Eastern Michigan (2017-21) punting the ball 221 times for 9,726 yards (44 AVG) with a long of 78 yards, 19 touchbacks, 52 fair catches, 71 from inside the 20-yard line, 51 for 50-plus yards, and one blocked punt.
In addition, he had two kickoffs for 101 yards in 54 games for the Eagles. He tied Rich Hanschu (1979-80) for first in the EMU record books with a 43.4 career punting average and ranked eighth in EMU history with 7,383 punting yards.
Jalon Calhoun is five foot eleven and weighs 195 pounds. The 24-year-old from Greenville, South Carolina, signed with the Edmonton Elks on December 18, 2024. In 2025, he made two catches for 47 yards, one touchdown, two kick returns for 67 yards, and three punt returns for 27 yards in two preseason games to earn a spot on the practice squad. The Elks released him on June 13, 2025.
The Detroit Lions signed Calhoun 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 solos, 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.
Ayir Asante is six foot and weighs 178 pounds. The 24-year-old from Franklin Township, New Jersey, signed with the Ottawa Redblacks on January 21, 2025. In 2025, he made three catches for 27 yards, two kick returns for 43 yards, and four punt returns for 22 yards in one preseason game to earn a spot on the practice squad. The Redblacks released him on June 17, 2025.
The New York Giants signed Asante as an undrafted free agent on May 10, 2024. In 2024, Asante made one catch for no yards, two kick returns for 71 yards, and two punt returns for 13 yards in three preseason games. The Giants released him on August 25, 2024.
Collegiately, Asante played four seasons at Holy Cross (2019-22) making 117 catches for 1,718 yards, 16 touchdowns, four carries for 66 yards, one touchdown, 26 kick returns for 485 yards, three punt returns for two yards, and six tackles (5 solos, 1 assist) in 40 games for the Crusaders. He was named a three-time Second Team All-Patriot League (2019-21).
Then, he transferred to Wyoming in 2023 making 18 catches for 276 yards, four touchdowns, four carries for 11 yards, one touchdown, and eight kick returns for 166 yards in 11 games for the Cowboys.
