The Edmonton Elks have reportedly signed quarterback Taylor Powell, wide receiver Joe Robustelli, offensive linemen Coulter Woodmansey and Brendan Bordner, and defensive end Malik Carney on Sunday according to Farhan Lalji, Dan Ralph, and Justin Dunk. In addition, Dan Ralph reported on Sunday that defensive back Chelen Garnes had his contract restructured by the Elks and was extended to 2027.
Taylor Powell is six foot two and weighs 207 pounds. The 27-year-old from Fayetteville, Arkansas, completed 6 of 8 passes (75%) for 47 yards in 18 games in 2025.
Powell attended the Carolina Panthers rookie minicamp in 2023 before signing with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on May 17, 2023. In 2023, Powell completed 197 of 292 passes (67.5%) for 2,283 yards, 10 touchdowns, 9 interceptions, 28 carries for 196 yards, and one touchdown in 16 games. In 2024, he completed 41 of 52 passes (78.8%) for 422 yards, two touchdowns, and eight carries for 71 yards in 16 games.
Collegiately, Powell played three seasons at Missouri (2017-19), completing 35 of 76 passes (46%) for 431 yards, one touchdown, two interceptions, and seven carries for one yard in 15 games for the Tigers. He was named a two-time SEC Academic Honor Roll in 2018 and 2019.
Next, Powell transferred to Troy in 2021, completing 125 of 189 passes (66%) for 1,251 yards, 7 touchdowns, 6 interceptions, 19 carries for -95 yards, and one touchdown in six games for the Trojans. Then, Powell transferred to Eastern Michigan in 2022, completing 174 of 269 passes (65%) for 2,111 yards, 16 touchdowns, 8 interceptions, 44 carries for -98 yards, and two touchdowns in nine games for the Eagles.
Joe Robustelli is six foot two and weighs 220 pounds. The 28-year-old from Sarasota, Florida, made 38 catches for 544 yards, three touchdowns, and one carry for two yards in 12 games. In the Grey Cup playoffs, he made three catches for 40 yards against the B.C. Lions in the Western Final to help Saskatchewan win the 112th Grey Cup over the Montreal Alouettes.
The Saskatchewan Roughriders signed Robustelli on May 21, 2024. In 2024, he made two catches for 15 yards in one game. Robustelli is the grandson of New York Giants defensive end Andrew Robustelli, a two-time NFL Champion, seven-time Pro Bowler, six-time First Team All-Pro, and inducted into the 1971 NFL Hall of Fame.
Collegiately, Robustelli went to Central Florida in 2022 but did not play for the Knights. Then, Robustelli transferred to Tusculum University in 2023 with 20 catches for 475 yards, six touchdowns, one carry for 11 yards, and one tackle (1 solo) in eight games for the Pioneers.
Coulter Woodmansey is six foot four and weighs 304 pounds. The 28-year-old from Toronto, Ontario, started 18 games in 2025. Hamilton’s offense averaged 26.9 points per game, 376.4 net offense per game, 297.4 passing yards per game, 92.3 rushing yards per game, 46 touchdowns, and allowed 27 sacks, finishing the season with an 11-7 record.
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats drafted Woodmansey in the first round (5th pick) of the 2020 CFL Draft. Woodmansey has played 41 games, including 39 starts. In 2023, Woodmansey started 17 games. The Ticats’ offense finished seventh in points per game (22.7), fifth in offensive points per game (20.9), fifth in offensive touchdowns (35), fourth in net offense per game (352.0), seventh in rushing yards per game (96.7), and fourth in sacks allowed (46). Hamilton’s offensive line helped running back James Butler rush for 1,000 yards.
Hamilton re-signed Woodmansey on December 22, 2023. In 2024, he started 18 games. Hamilton averaged 27.5 points per game, 406.1 net offense per game, 86.6 rushing yards per game, 332.1 passing yards per game, and allowed 30 sacks, finishing 7-11 for the season.
Collegiately, Woodmansey spent five seasons at Guelph University (2016-20), playing guard in 32 games for the Gryphons.
Brendan Bordner is six foot five and weighs 305 pounds. The 26-year-old from Columbus, Ohio, started 13 games for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in 2025. Hamilton’s offense averaged 26.9 points per game, 376.4 net offense per game, 297.4 passing yards per game, 92.3 rushing yards per game, 46 touchdowns, and allowed 27 sacks, finishing the season with an 11-7 record.
The San Antonio Brahmas drafted Bordner in the 2023 XFL Rookie Draft. The Hamilton Tiger-Cats signed Bordner on January 16, 2024. In 2024, he started 16 games. Hamilton averaged 27.5 points per game, 406.1 net offense per game, 86.6 rushing yards per game, 332.1 passing yards per game, and allowed 30 sacks, finishing 7-11 for the season.
Collegiately, Bordner spent five seasons at Rutgers (2017-21). He started out as a defensive lineman in his first two seasons before switching to the offensive line, playing right tackle and left tackle. He played a total of 41 games for the Scarlet Knights.
As a defensive lineman, Bordner made 23 tackles (9 solos, 14 assists) and three tackles for loss in 20 games. In his senior season, Bordner started at right tackle in 12 games, not allowing a sack in 2021. Rutgers averaged 19.7 points per game, 310.6 passing yards per game, 172.2 passing yards per game, 138.4 rushing yards per game, and 31 touchdowns. He was named a four-time Academic All-Big Ten.
Then, he transferred to Florida Atlantic University in 2022, starting at left tackle in 12 games for the Owls. Florida Atlantic averaged 29.8 points per game, 411.8 yards per game, 227.2 passing yards per game, 184.6 rushing yards per game, and 47 touchdowns.
Malik Carney is six foot three and weighs 245 pounds. The 30-year-old from Alexandria, Virginia, made 39 tackles, eight sacks, and one forced fumble in 18 games in 2025. In the Grey Cup playoffs, Carney made five tackles and two tackles for loss when the Roughriders won the 112th Grey Cup over the Montreal Alouettes.
The Detroit Lions signed Carney as an undrafted free agent on May 10, 2019. In 2019, 10 tackles (8 solos, 2 assists) in three preseason games. The Broncos released him on August 31, 2019. The Seattle Seahawks signed Carney to the practice squad on September 25, 2019. He spent the season on and off the practice squad before he was released on October 25, 2019.
The Denver Broncos re-signed him to the practice squad on November 12, 2019. He re-signed him again on December 30, 2019. There were no preseason games played in 2020, and he was released on September 5, 2020. The Hamilton Tiger-Cats signed Carney on January 18, 2021. In 2021, Carney made three tackles, one tackle on special teams, and one sack in four games.
In 2022, he made 26 tackles, four tackles on special teams, seven sacks, and one forced fumble in 17 games. In 2023, he made 52 tackles, five sacks, one interception, and one forced fumble in 17 games. The Saskatchewan Roughriders signed Carney on February 13, 2024. In 2024, he made 26 tackles, four sacks, and one forced fumble in 13 games.
Collegiately, Carney played four seasons at North Carolina (2015-18) with 176 tackles (90 solos, 86 assists), 33 tackles for loss, 17.5 sacks, four pass breakups, nine forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries in 36 games for the Tar Heels.
Chelen Garnes is five foot eleven and weighs 206 pounds. The 24-year-old from Waldorf, Maryland, signed with the Edmonton Elks on March 6, 2025. In 2025, he made 62 tackles, one tackle on special teams, and one interception in 18 games.
The Detroit Lions signed Garnes as an undrafted free agent on May 10, 2024. In 2024, he made three tackles (3 solos) in three preseason games. The Lions released him on August 27, 2024.
Collegiately, Garnes played one season at Navy in 2019 with 11 tackles (4 solos, 7 assists), half a tackle for loss, half a sack, two interceptions, and three pass breakups in 13 games for the Midshipmen.
Then, he transferred to Wake Forest (2021-23) with 145 tackles (86 solos, 59 assists), seven tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, one interception, 10 pass breakups, and three fumble recoveries in 32 games for the Demon Deacons.
In 2023, he made 61 tackles (33 solos, 28 assists), two tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, five pass breakups, and two fumble recoveries in 12 games. He helped Wake Forest win the 2021 Gator Bowl over Rutgers and the ACC Atlantic Division.
