The Edmonton Elks signed defensive back JaVaughn Byrd on Monday according to the CFL Transactions page.
JaVaughn Byrd is six foot and weighs 191 pounds. A native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Byrd attended the New Orleans Saints, Washington Commanders, Pittsburgh Steelers, and the Chicago Bears rookie minicamps in 2025.
Collegiately, Byrd spent four seasons at Northern Illinois (2021-24) with 147 tackles (103 solos, 44 assists), four tackles for loss, half a sack, three interceptions, 17 pass breakups, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery in 47 games for the Huskies.
In his freshman season, Byrd had a career-high 40 tackles (32 solos, 8 assists), three pass breakups, and one fumble recovery in 14 games. He followed up in his sophomore year with 38 tackles (23 solos, 15 assists), two tackles for loss, half a sack, and three pass breakups in eight games.
In 2023, he was named Second Team All-MAC after finishing the season with 32 tackles (23 solos, 9 assists), two tackles for loss, three interceptions, eight pass breakups, and one fumble recovery in 13 games. In his final collegiate season in 2024, he made 37 tackles (25 solos, 12 assists), three pass breakups, and one force fumble in 12 games. He was named Third Team All-MAC by Phil Steele.
In high school, Byrd was named First Team All-Conference, All-Region, and All-State as a junior at Rufus King. In his junior season, he had six interceptions and finished fourth on the team with 52 tackles. He was ranked the No. 2 defensive back prospect in Wisconsin and 11th-ranked overall by Rivals.com.
