The Edmonton Elks have taken a significant step forward, solidifying their rushing game by extending Justin Rankin for the next two seasons.
Rankin is a key piece in Elks history, having become the 17th Elks player to rush for 1000+ yards in a season and marking the franchise’s 32nd 1000+ yard rushing performance.
However, relying on one back to play every down is uncommon in modern football. The Elks running back duo is completed with Jeavon Leake. Leake, one of the premier kick returners, is an exceptional complement to Rankin as a running back. The two backs combined for 200 rushes, 1426 yards, 11 TD’s in 2024 and 248 rushes, 1228 yards, 10 TD’s in 2025.
Another crucial factor in the success of the run game is the offensive line. Free agency has brought some new faces for offensive line coach Stephen Sorrells to play with. This commitment promises a fun year for fans of the running offence and a definite headache for defensive coordinators.
Elks Top 4 Rushing in 2025
Justin Rankin 191 rushes 1013 yds 9 TD ***Extended
Cody Fajardo 55 rushes 319 yds 7 TD ***Extended
Javon Leake 57 rushes 215 yds 1 TD
Tre Ford 16 rushes 152 yds 1 TD ***Released
Elks Running Back Transactions since December 1, 2025
Antario Brown ***Signed Jan 23/26
Tanner Green ***Retires Feb 2/26
Jacob Plamondon ***Extended Feb 6/26
Elks Offensive Lineman Transactions since December 1, 2025
Domenico Piazza ***Signed Dec 22/25
Gregor Mackellar ***Signed Feb 10/26
Coulter Woodmansey ***Signed Feb 11/26
Jordan Murray ***Signed Feb 11/26
Brendan Bordner *** Signed Feb 11/26
Martez Ivey ***Released Feb 13/26
Historically Speaking
It is hard to imagine, but the 1957 Eskimos team rushed for a CFL record 4,345 yards. To put that in perspective, that team ran for 271.6 yards per game or 4.5 yards per minute, assuming they had the ball 60 minutes a game. It was truly a different game than what is played now. Last season the team ran for 1766 yards. Is there a correlation of rushing yards to success? The last 3 Edmonton Grey Cup winning teams rushed for 1898 yards (2015), 1360 yards (2005) and 2080 yards (2003). Any coach will tell you, it’s not how many rushing yards you get but getting the tough yards on 2nd or 3rd and short, around the goalline or out of the shadow of your own goal post (while they are still there).Justin Rankin sits in 29th on the Elks All-Time list with 1778 career rushing yards, Javon Leake is 54th and departed QB, Tre Ford in 44th.
Elks Single Season Rushing Yards List
1 – 1722 – 1958 Bright
2 – 1679 – 1957 Bright
3 – 1503 – 1989 Taylor
…
26 1019 – 1980 Germany
27 1013 – 2025 Rankin
T28 1006 – 1967 Thomas
T28 1006 – 1975 Bell
Elks Single Season Rushes List
1 – 296 – 1958 Bright
2 – 286 – 1974 Bell
3 – 273 – 2003 Pringle
…
25 – 195 – 2011 Messam
26 – 191 – 2025 Rankin
T27 – 190 – 2006 Davis
T27 – 190 – 1969 Thomas
Elks All-Time Rushing Yards List
1 – 9966 Johnny Bright
2 – 8769 Normie Kwong
3 – 6160 Jim Thomas
…
28 – 1785 Milson Jones
29 – 1778 Justin Rankin
30 – 1700 Warren Moon
…
43 – 1133 Chris Johnstone
44 – 1129 Tre Ford
45 – 1058 Shakir Bell
…
53 – 890 Angelo Santucci
54 – 876 Jevon Leake
55 – 847 Ron Williams
Elks All-Time Rushes List
1 – 1779 Johnny Bright
2 – 1705 Normie Kwong
3 – 1111 Jim Thomas
…
37 – 290 Hugh Charles
38 – 289 Justin Rankin
T37 – 243 Larry Cowan
T37 – 243 Nealon Greene
…
52 – 164 Trent Walters
53 – 159 Javon Leake
54 – 156 Ron McClendon
…
T66 – 124 Tyler Ebell
T66 – 124 Tre Ford
Milestones for 2026
I believe a healthy Justin Rankin can rush for 1000 yards again and a Rankin-Leake-Fajardo 3 headed monster could get 2000 yards as a team. Rankin needs 671 yards to break into the top 15. Leake needs 124 yards for 1000 career rushing yards as an Elk and 543 yards to be in the top 25. Cody Fajardo needs 681 yards for 1000 career rushing yards as an Elk and 588 yards to be in the top 50.
- once, a team has rushed for 4000+ yards (1957)
- 13 times, a team has rushed for 3000+ yards (last time 1999)
- 27 times, a team has rushed for 2250+ yards (125 yds/game, last time 2024)
- 53 times, a team has rushed for 1800+ yards (100 yds/game, last time 2024)
Is it June yet?
