Official: Edmonton Elks sign hometown offensive lineman Mark Korte

Photo courtesy: Scott Grant/CFLPhotoArchive.com

The Edmonton Elks have officially signed Canadian offensive lineman Mark Korte to a two-year contract through the 2023 season.

The native of Spruce Grove, Alta. was a first-round pick of the Ottawa Redblacks in the 2018 CFL Draft. He has played 48 games with the team since, primarily at centre and left tackle.

Edmonton Elks make hometown boy Mark Korte the highest-paid offensive lineman in the CFL.

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$210,000 in 2022 and $220,000 in 2023. https://t.co/wcIYTQwfaW#Edmonton #YEG #Elks #CFL pic.twitter.com/j0IRhexPvP

— Justin Dunk (@JDunk12) February 8, 2022

The University of Alberta product was named the top lineman in Canada West in 2017 and was a key blocker for running back Ed Ilnicki who won the Hec Crighton Trophy after rushing for 1,468 yards with the Golden Bears.

Korte will help solidify an offensive line that undergone a significant number of changes since the 2021 season got underway. Left guard Jacob Ruby was cut after misrepresenting his vaccinated status to the team and has since signed with the Ottawa Redblacks, while right guard Matt O’Donnell recently elected to retire.

The 25-year-old isn’t the only University of Alberta product on Edmonton’s offensive line as former second-round pick David Beard is firmly entrenched at the centre spot. Expect Korte to play alongside him at guard or tackle come the start of the 2022 CFL season.