Kordell Jackson, Leon O’Neal, Robert Nkemdiche, Malik Henry, Jerminic Smith, Justin Rankin, Vinny Testeverde Jr., Jahvann Ferguson, Jaquan Artis, Felix Harper, Calvin Bundage, Charles Headen, Aaron Dilworth, and Tony Tate are just the names I recognize over the last few seasons alone, and I’m positive I missed a few.
The Elks have realized the value of indoor or arena football leagues and the similarities in the leagues’ rules. Whether it’s the intricacies of pre-snap motion or defending it, to the way the defensive line is at a disadvantage in how they can attack opposing offensive lines. Will this change with Chris Jones now gone or will Geroy Simon and Jarious Jackson continue building this bridge?
Table of Contents
Rule Similarities
Part of what makes indoor or arena football particularly valuable to the CFL is the fact that they use high motion before the snap. In the NFL only one player may be in motion and typically that motion has to be laterally and not toward the line of scrimmage. In indoor football or the CFL, this rule has changed allowing receivers to time up their routes to hit the line of scrimmage (LOS) as the ball is snapped.
While most indoor football does not require defensive linemen to line up one yard off the LOS, they do remove the use of twists and stunts that limit how creative a coordinator can get with his blitzes. This handicaps defensive linemen and forces them to win with talent. On top of that, the time from snap to throw or run is much faster indoors than it is in the CFL forcing teams to find more quick twitch pass rushers that can win with speed and do it in a hurry.
You could even throw in running back and quarterback. Indoor football typically relies heavily on the running game with mobile quarterbacks, and speedy dual-threat running backs that add value to the passing game. IFL quarterbacks are often used to run nearly as much as they throw making them valuable as potential short-yardage options. These running backs tend to translate well due to the way the CFL has to rip off chunk plays at a time to keep drives moving given they only have two downs to collect ten yards before having to punt.
Defensive linemen, defensive backs, wide receivers, quarterbacks, and sometimes running backs have benefited by seeing CFL interest at times. I am slightly surprised we haven’t seen more kickers get the call outdoors, indoor football uses goalposts that are half the width of the standard outdoor goalposts and the crossbar is 5 feet higher in the air.
Players Signed Before or During the 2023 Season
The Elks went heavy on players with indoor football experience before the 2024 season. In January they brought in dynamic wide receiver and kick returner Charles Headen III, defensive back Leon O’Neal Jr., defensive lineman Robert Nkemdiche, and quarterback Malik Henry. Henry and Nkemdiche most recently played in the National Arena League, but they had previous IFL experience as well. Nkemdiche is the first of many former Knight Hawks in this article. Headen III and O’Neal Jr. both spent 2023 in the IFL.
In February they signed Vincent Testaverde Jr., who has previously spent time in the IFL, and NAL. He spent parts of 2021 and 2022 with the Arizona Rattlers of the IFL before briefly signing with the Albany Empire. Testaverde went on to be released, have a cup of coffee with the St. Louis Battlehawks, and play the 2024 season in the revived AFL as the backup to Drew Powell for the Orlando Predators. Powell is no stranger to CFL interest either.
Kordell Jackson built a cult following in the IFL and his name is spoken as if it’s part of some long-lost myth about an elite defensive back who broke down barriers and made himself known. He has since turned heads with Edmonton as well.
More Than Just Practice Squad Players
Jackson is another former IFL player finding a role with Edmonton. He and O’Neal Jr. have paired up in this Elks secondary as significant contributors in 2024. O’Neal Jr currently stands second on the team with 22 tackles in just four games. Jackson has played in four games as well logging 12 tackles and 1 interception. Nkemdiche has collected 7 tackles and 2 sacks.
Shawn Oakman while signed after Toronto let him go, spent four seasons playing indoor football to begin his career he has 6 tackles in 2 games. McLeod Bethel-Thompson began his career in the Arena Football League.
On offense, Jerminic Smith has been targeted twice catching 1 pass for 12 yards, while Justin Rankin just completed the IFL regular season only to get a call to return to Edmonton on the practice roster.
Not Everyone Made the Roster
Unfortunately for Malik Henry, the odds were stacked against him this offseason when the Elks brought in a string of recent UFL quarterbacks. Ultimately they opted to stick with the incumbents; McLeod Bethel-Thompson was signed to start, Tre Ford is a recent first overall pick, and Dakota Prukop is their short-yard option. This left as many as 7 other quarterbacks out of luck, including Henry.
Signed to the Albany Firebirds just before the Elks brought him in, he opted to return and ride the bench behind Jake Medlock who returned from retirement following Henry’s departure. Henry rode the bench into Arenabowl 33 although his team fell short. Henry was also in the NAL Championship game in 2023 as the starter for the Carolina Cobras who also fell short.
Shannon Brooks was signed before the 2023 season after playing well for the IFL’s Arizona Rattlers. He went on to play in all 18 games for the Elks collecting 36 carries for 175 yards, 4.9 yards per carry. He was targeted 12 times catching 7 for 95 yards (85 of which came after the catch), he also managed 2 kick returns for 21 yards. He was let go this past offseason despite his rather large role in his rookie CFL season. He returned to the Rattlers in 2024 to stay in game shape and continue to grow his resume. Word from his agent is he will also be pursuing UFL interest by attending a showcase.
Tony Tate a wide receiver spent time with the Sioux Falls Storm before signing with the European League of Football midseason. He later signed with Edmonton who saw how deadly he could be to opposing defenses in the ELF. Tate and Headen III were likely competing for the same roster spot, and unfortunately neither made the cut. So far to my knowledge neither have signed elsewhere in any league. Although both are names to watch going forward.
Signed in 2023 Calvin Bundage is a very well-known IFL player who spent time with the Massachusetts Pirates. The Pirates are notorious for fielding one of the most talented rosters every year, and they’ve done their fair share of elevating players to the next level. The one-time NFL player Bundage was going to be used as an edge rusher in the CFL. You can see why in the play below, although ultimately he was let go returning to the Pirates before finishing the year with Tulsa. He finished the 2024 season with 4.5 sacks.
Felix Harper was signed in February of 2023 but didn’t make it very long. He had previously spent time with the MLFB which folded before playing a single regular season game. He ended up finding a home with the Bay Area Panthers in the IFL where has since spent the last two seasons.
Jaquan Artis is a guy who played for the IFL with multiple teams at this point but it seems that almost every offseason he gets some form of outdoor interest. He was selected in the 2023 XFL draft and later signed with Edmonton as well. He would however end up with the stacked San Diego Strike Force in 2024. Artis finished the season with 47 tackles, 15.5 for a loss, with 5.5 sacks.
Jahvahn Ferguson was a linebacker with the Vegas Knight Hawks for the 2023 season before Edmonton came calling. This shouldn’t come as a shock given Head Coach Mike Davis once coached in the CFL, and maintains connections up north. Ferguson wasn’t the only former Knight Hawk signed by Edmonton as Kony Ealy was another player who joined the Elks in 2022 after playing for Vegas. His stint lasted just 5 weeks. Another former Knight Hawk wide receiver Aaron Dilworth was signed to the practice roster during the 2022 season as well.
Future of the Indoor Football to CFL Bridge
The continued growth and consolidation of indoor and arena football leagues only increases the chances that more CFL teams will begin to value this experience and understand that through a bit of collaboration indoor teams can serve as defacto practice rosters keeping fringe players in shape and on the radar long term.
Edmonton may be the most entrenched in bringing players up from indoor leagues, but they aren’t the only teams to find value. Ottawa, and Toronto both have quarterbacks on their roster with indoor experience. Cameron Dukes is another former Vegas Knight Hawk. Tyrie Adams played for the Salina Liberty in the Champions Indoor Football League. Kory Woodruff an offensive lineman on BC’s practice roster played in the IFL.
With most of these indoor leagues starting in March if the CFL really saw fit, there is certainly value to allowing backend and practice roster players to play in indoor leagues. In fact, in my personal opinion, the National Arena League if they wanted to could angle themselves in as the best fit for a “developmental league” for CFL players, it would just require an earlier start to their 2025 season.
In 2024 the CFL rookie camps started on May 8th, and training camp ended on June 1st. The NAL Championship game was on June 15th. If the league is committed to a 10-game schedule, starting in February might be the best way to go. The Super Bowl is slated for February 9th, 2025. If the NAL began the following week, on February 15th, it would be a full 12 weeks until CFL rookie camps began, with veterans reporting one week later. Essentially a player would be able to play the entire NAL season without missing a game and still report in time for CFL camp.
With a 10-game schedule and 10-12 teams, if 6 teams advance, you would need just 3 weeks of playoffs including the championship game to finish the full season. This means the Championship game would fall the week veteran players were to report. It’s almost a perfect setup for players and both leagues.
Sponsor: Upside
This article and so much more is brought to you by Upside. Upside is a free not strings attached app that will pay you cashback for the purchases you already make. Gas, Groceries, or a Good Meal, with just 3 clicks, you can earn CashBack today at HUNDREDS of locations. Use our code Sam363682 to save an additional 15 cents per gallon on your next fuel purchase. With discounts up to 25 cents per gallon, you could earn 40 cents back per gallon on your first purchase. Again use our code Sam363682 at sign up.
YouTube
Please also help us continue growing on our YouTube Channel by subscribing if you haven’t already. Also like and comment on any videos you enjoy! Thank you for your support and we hope you continue to tune in!
Around the indoor world 8:00 am ET (IFL, NAL, AIF)
Discord/Facebook Groups
Are you on discord or facebook? Join our server/groups to jump in the conversation, stay up to
date on your favorite leagues and give us your jot takes. You can also promote your content!
Discover more from Shady Sports Network
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.