Joel Dublanko

Joel Dublanko (born January 12, 1998) is an American–Canadian professional gridiron football linebacker for the Edmonton Elks of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He was the first overall pick in the 2024 CFL Draft.

Joel Dublanko
No. 50     Edmonton Elks
Dublanko with the Edmonton Elks in 2024
Born: (1998-01-12) January 12, 1998
Aberdeen, Washington, U. S.
Career information
StatusActive
CFL statusNational
Position(s)Linebacker
Height6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Weight232 lb (105 kg)
CollegeCincinnati
High schoolAberdeen High
CFL draft2024, Round: 1, Pick: 1
Drafted byEdmonton Elks
Career history
As player
2022New Orleans Saints*
2022Seattle Seahawks*
2023San Antonio Brahmas
2023Philadelphia Stars
2024–presentEdmonton Elks
*Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career stats

College career

After using a redshirt season in 2016, Dublanko played college football for the Cincinnati Bearcats from 2017 to 2021.[1] He played in 64 games where he had 233 total tackles, 22 tackles for a loss, 7.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and one interception.[2]

Professional career

New Orleans Saints

After going unselected in the 2022 NFL Draft, Dublanko signed as a free agent with the New Orleans Saints on April 30, 2022.[2][3] However, he was waived by the team prior to training camp that year.[2]

Seattle Seahawks

On August 5, 2022, Dublanko was signed by the Seattle Seahawks.[4] At the conclusion of training camp, Dublanko was part of the team's final cuts on August 29, 2022.[5]

San Antonio Brahmas

Dublanko joined the San Antonio Brahmas of the XFL for their 2023 season and played in one game for the team before being released.[6][7]

Philadelphia Stars

Dublanko signed with the Philadelphia Stars of the USFL later in their 2023 season and played in seven games for the team where he recorded 17 solo tackles, ten assisted tackles, and 0.5 sacks.[6][8] The Stars folded after the season, when the XFL and USFL merged to become the United Football League (UFL) and he was not signed by another UFL team ahead of the 2024 season.[9]

Edmonton Elks

After obtaining his Canadian citizenship, Dublanko was added to the list of players eligible for the 2024 CFL draft in March 2024.[2] After attending the CFL Combine, he was listed as the sixth best player in the Canadian Football League's Amateur Scouting Bureau April rankings for players eligible in the draft.[10] He was then drafted first overall by the Edmonton Elks in the 2023 CFL Draft and signed with the team on May 6, 2024.[11] He made the opening day roster and made his CFL debut on June 8, 2024, against the Saskatchewan Roughriders where he had one special teams tackle.[12]

Personal life

Dublanko's paternal grandparents were Canadian and his father was born in Edmonton.[6] Dublanko's cousin, Curtis Dublanko, is a former linebacker who played in four seasons in the Canadian Football League.[6]

References
  1. "Joel Dublanko". Cincinnati Bearcats. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
  2. Hodge, John (March 9, 2024). "Potential first overall pick LB Joel Dublanko added to 2024 CFL Draft, will participate in Combine". 3DownNation.
  3. "Joel Dublanko Signing With the New Orleans Saints Following the 2022 NFL Draft". Sports Illustrated. April 30, 2022.
  4. "Seahawks Sign LB Joel Dublanko". Seattle Seahawks. August 5, 2022.
  5. "Seahawks Make Roster Moves, Establish Initial 2022 53-Man Roster". Seattle Seahawks. August 29, 2022.
  6. "U.S.-born CFL prospects excited about possibilities of being Canadian". Terrace Standard. March 22, 2024.
  7. "Former San Antonio Brahma Looking To Become a USFL Star". usflnewshub.com. May 2, 2023.
  8. "Joel Dublanko". The Football Database. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
  9. "Four USFL teams survive merger with XFL". NBC Sports. December 19, 2023. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
  10. "Isaiah Adams holds top spot in spring CFL Scouting Bureau rankings". Canadian Football League. April 17, 2024.
  11. "Elks sign Joel Dublanko, Eteva Mauga-Clements". Canadian Football League. May 6, 2024.
  12. "Game Notes" (PDF). Edmonton Elks. Retrieved June 23, 2024.
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