Edmonton Elks sign American quarterback Keon Howard

Photo courtesy: UTM Athletics

The Edmonton Elks have signed American quarterback Keon Howard.

The six-foot-one, 215-pound passer spent the 2021 season with the University of Tennessee Martin Skyhawks of the Ohio Valley Conference (FCS). The Laurel, Miss. native was named the Ohio Valley Conference Offensive Player of the Year after throwing for 1,811 yards, 15 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. He also added 472 yards on the ground and scored ten rushing touchdowns.

Prior to his time at UTM, Howard played four seasons at the FBS level at Southern Mississippi (2016-17) and Tulane (2019-20) where he graduated with a management degree.

Howard combined for 18 games during his first four collegiate seasons, throwing for 2,086 yards, 12 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. His best season at the FBS level came as a sophomore at Southern Mississippi in 2017 when he threw for 1,199 yards with eight touchdowns and five interceptions.

The Elks now have five quarterbacks under contract including CFL veterans Nick Arbuckle and Taylor Cornelius, former Ohio State star J.T. Barrett, and dual-threat pivots Kai Locksley and Khalil Tate.