The Edmonton Elks signed wide receiver Justin McGriff and defensive back Gavin Holmes to the practice squad on Monday.
Justin McGriff is six foot six and weighs 215 pounds. The 25-year-old from Tampa, Florida, signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on May 5, 2023. In 2023, he made four catches for 58 yards against the Toronto Argonauts in a preseason game. Later in camp, McGriff tore his ACL and missed the rest of the 2023 season. He would later be transferred to the league suspension list and became a free agent after the 2024 season.
Collegiately, McGriff appeared in one game at Nebraska in 2018, recording no stats for the Cornhuskers. Next, he transferred to ASA Miami in 2019, making 25 catches for 360 yards and eight touchdowns in seven games for the Silver Storm.
Then, McGriff transferred to Utah State (2020-22) with 80 catches for 1,037 yards, 12 touchdowns, and four tackles (4 solos) in 33 games for the Aggies. His 1,037 yards made him the 37th player in school history with 1,000 career receiving yards. In 2022, McGriff made 30 passes for 438 yards and four touchdowns in 13 games.
Gavin Holmes is five foot eleven and weighs 185 pounds. A native of New Orleans, Louisiana, Holmes signed with the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent on April 27, 2025. He was released on June 2, 2025.
Collegiately, Holmes played three seasons at Wake Forest (2020-22) with 45 tackles (26 solos, 9 assists), three tackles for loss, two interceptions for 34 yards, one touchdown, 13 pass breakups, and one forced fumble in 27 games for the Demon Deacons.
Then, he transferred to Texas (2023-24) with 30 tackles (23 solos, 7 assists), half a tackle for loss, and five pass breakups in 30 games for the Longhorns.
