Edmonton Elks sign American QB Kai Locksley, LB Matthew Thomas

Photo courtesy: UTEP Athletics

The Edmonton Elks have signed American quarterback Kai Locksley and American linebacker Matthew Thomas.

Locksley played at the University of Texas at El Paso and signed with the Miami Dolphins in March 2021. He was converted to wide receiver in training camp but was released as the club finalized its roster for the regular season.

While at UTEP, the six-foot-four, 210-pound passer appeared in 20 games over two seasons (2018-19), completing 186-of-350 passes for 2,266 yards, nine touchdowns, and 14 interceptions. He also rushed 237 times for 875 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Prior to UTEP he was the nation’s top junior college player on offence at Iowa Western Community College in 2017.

Thomas joins the Elks after spending part of the 2021 season with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. The Florida State product suited up in Week 3 for the Riders, recording a pair of special teams tackles against the Ottawa Redblacks.

Originally signed by the Riders in April 2020, Thomas brings NFL experience to the Green and Gold after playing 10 regular season games for the Pittsburgh Steelers during the 2018 season. Thomas later signed with the Baltimore Ravens in January 2019, and then the XFL’s St. Louis BattleHawks in 2020 before inking with Saskatchewan.

Collegiately, Thomas played 37 games at FSU from 2013-17, recording 192 tackles, 25 tackles for loss, four sacks, one interception, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. As a senior in 2017, he led the Seminoles with a career-high 85 tackles.