The Toronto Argonauts signed running back Elijah Young, defensive lineman Paris Shand, and defensive back Akili Arnold on Friday.
Elijah Young is five foot ten and weighs 198 pounds. The 24-year-old from Knoxville, Tennessee, signed with the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent on May 5, 2025. In 2025, he had four carries for 15 yards in two preseason games. The Chiefs released him on August 18, 2025. The Buffalo Bills signed Young on August 20, 2025. Young had 16 carries for 63 yards in one preseason game. The Bills released him on August 24, 2025.
Collegiately, Young spent three seasons at Missouri (2020-22) with 66 carries for 333 yards, one rushing touchdown, 19 catches for 103 yards, one touchdown, and six kick returns for 112 yards in 28 games for the Tigers.
Then, he transferred to Western Kentucky (2023-24) with 305 carries for 1,357 yards, six rushing touchdowns, 67 catches for 631 yards, five touchdowns, eight kick returns for 128 yards, and two tackles (2 solos) in 27 games for the Hilltoppers. In 2024, he was named Second Team All-CUSA by Phil Steele after finishing the season with a career-high 201 carries for 883 yards, three rushing touchdowns, 47 catches for 384 yards, and two touchdowns in 14 games.
Paris Shand is six foot four and weighs 268 pounds. The 24-year-old from Toronto, Ontario, signed with the Columbus Aviators on January 27, 2026. They released him on January 28, 2026.
The Toronto Argonauts drafted Shand in the second round (19th pick) of the 2025 CFL Draft. Shand signed with the Buffalo Bills as an undrafted free agent on April 26, 2025. In 2025, he made six tackles (3 solos, 3 assists) in three preseason games. The Bills released him on August 26, 2025.
Collegiately, Shand played three seasons at Arizona (2020-22) with 41 tackles (22 solos, 19 assists), 5.5 tackles for loss, five sacks, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery in 23 games for the Wildcats.
Then, he transferred to LSU (2023-24) with 41 tackles (15 solos, 26 assists), nine tackles for loss, four sacks, and three pass breakups in 25 games for the Tigers.
Akili Arnold is six foot and weighs 200 pounds. A native of Mission Viejo, California, Arnold began his collegiate career at Oregon State (2019-23) with 150 tackles (74 solos, 76 assists), 5.5 tackles for loss, half a sack, three interceptions for 13 yards, 10 pass breakups, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery in 50 games for the Beavers.
In 2023, he had a career-high 60 tackles (24 solos, 36 assists), two tackles for loss, half a sack, two interceptions for 13 yards, six pass breakups, and one fumble recovery in 11 games.
Then, he transferred to USC in 2024, tying his career-high with 60 tackles (36 solos, 24 assists), half a tackle for loss, half a sack, one interception for 26 yards, and two pass breakups in 12 games for the Trojans.
