Photo by Edmonton Elks (CFL)
EDMONTON — The Edmonton Elks placed nine players on the West Division All-CFL team announced Thursday, the most of any team in the division.
Four of the selections came on defence. Defensive end Malik Carney, halfback Kordell Jackson and cornerback J.J. Ross are all first-time divisional selections, joined by cornerback Tyrell Ford, who earned the honour for the second time after also making the team in 2024. Carney posted a team-high 11 sacks, second in the CFL, and forced a league-high four fumbles. His season highlight came in Week 19 at Hamilton, where he recorded six tackles, a forced fumble and four sacks to tie a franchise record. Ford led the league with seven interceptions, and the Elks' defence forced a CFL-leading 29 interceptions as a unit.
On offence, receiver Austin Mack earned his second career divisional selection with 1,254 receiving yards, fifth in the league, and nine receiving touchdowns, tied for second in the CFL. Offensive lineman Carter O'Donnell and fullback Skyler Griffith were also selected after helping Edmonton rush for a league-best 2,296 yards this season.
Both specialists made the team. Kicker Vincent Blanchard, a first-time selection and the league's Most Outstanding Special Teams Player candidate, set a club record by connecting on 55 of 59 field goals for a 93.2 per cent success rate, and his 42 converts gave him a CFL-leading 211 points. He also set a league record with nine field goals in a single game, going 9-for-9 in Week 17 against Hamilton. Punter Jake Julien collected his second divisional selection after leading the West in punting average for a third consecutive season.
Edmonton hosts the West Final at Commonwealth Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 7.