Solomon Elimimian is staying in the CFL.
TSN's Dave Naylor confirmed that the linebacker has signed a one-year deal plus an option to stay with the BC Lions.
It was previously reported that the former CFL All-Star had an agreement with the NFL's Cleveland Browns, and while Elimimian's agent says an opportunity still existed with the Browns, his client has decided instead to pursue a CFL job.
Offensive lineman Jovan Olafioye also decided to stay with the Lions rather than look for an opportunity south of the border. The reigning Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman got a look from the Green Bay Packers who ultimately decided to pass citing medical concerns, and was reported to have interest from other teams.
Other big signings on Friday included former CFL All-Star and Mayor of Swaggerville Odell Willis signing a deal with the Edmonton Eskimos to kick off the free agency period.
Willis spent last year with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, picking up six sacks and 23 tackles. The season prior Willis tied for the league lead with 13 sacks with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers' Swaggerville defence.
The Toronto Argonauts re-signed running back and Grey Cup MVP Chad Kackert.
Kackert became Toronto's starting running back in August after the club released Cory Boyd, who was leading the CFL in rushing at the time. Kackert finished the regular season rushing for 638 yards on 100 carries with five TDs.
The Roughriders signed import defensive back Dwight Anderson, who played for the Montreal Alouettes last season and re-signed import linebacker Tyron Brackenridge.
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats signed former Roughriders LB Shomari Williams, who was selected first overall by Saskatchewan in 2010. He's played both defensive end and linebacker in his three years in Saskatchewan. Later in the day, the Tiger-Cats signed defensive tackle Brian Bulcke, who played for the Calgary Stampeders last season and former Toronto Argonauts defensive back Evan McCollough.
Meanwhile, former Tiger-Cat DB Geoff Tisdale signed a two-year deal with the Montreal Alouettes. The five-year veteran amassed 35 tackles and two interceptions last year in Hamilton.
