The Edmonton Elks signed defensive back Ian Kennelly on Monday according to the CFL Transactions page.
Ian Kennelly is six foot two and weighs 205 pounds. The 24-year-old from Macomb, Michigan, signed with the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent on May 9, 2025. In 2025, he made 14 tackles (4 solos, 10 assists) in four preseason games. The Lions released him on August 26, 2025.
Collegiately, Kennelly spent six seasons at Grand Valley State University (2019-24) with 174 tackles (95 solos, 79 assists), 1.5 tackles for loss, eight interceptions for 44 yards, 19 pass breakups, two forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, two punt returns for 21 yards, and one blocked kick in 49 games for the Lakers.
In 2023, he was named First Team All-GLIAC after finishing the season with 58 tackles (34 solos, 24 assists), three interceptions, five pass breakups, one forced fumble, and one blocked kick in 13 games.
In 2024, he was named First Team All-GLIAC and Second Team Honoree by D2CCA Super Region 3. He was named the GVSU Player of the Year and GVSU Skill Defensive Player of the Year after finishing the season with a career-high 64 tackles (39 solos, 25 assists), one tackle for loss, three interceptions for 19 yards, and six pass breakups in 13 games.
Kennelly attended Utica Eisenhower High School, where he was named First Team D1 All-State by the Detroit Free Press, Detroit News, and Detroit Free Press First-Team All-East, First-Team All-MAC Red honoree, and First-Team All-Macomb County. He made 53 tackles, two interceptions, rushed for 615 yards, seven rushing touchdowns, 12 catches for 285 yards, and four receiving touchdowns.
