By: Michael Arcuri/Edmonton Elks
It was a pick that was just meant to be.
When Joel Dublanko heard his name announced as the first pick in the 2024 CFL Draft, he considered it more than realization of a childhood dream β it was a moment of divine intervention.
βItβs been super crazy, a bit unbelievable,β Dublanko said. βI had a lot of family up in Edmonton, and just the fact that Edmonton had the number-one pick and there was a chance of this happening, I give all the glory to God.
MORE CFL DRAFT COVERAGE
Β» First-And-Joel: Elks select Dublanko first overall in 2024 CFL Draft
Β» A team-by-team look at the 2024 CFL Draft
» 2024 CFL Draft Tracker: View who else did the Elks select?
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βJust seeing how everythingβs kind of lined up and fallen into place, itβs undeniable that his hand has been all over it. Itβs been really cool and special, my family is really excited, and Iβm just super blessed to be here.β
The Aberdeen, Washington native was a late addition to CFL Draft boards, declaring for the event back in March. Despite many wanting to raise their eyebrows at Dublanko being a born-and-raised American, he is well connected to Canada, and specifically to Northern Alberta.
A DATE TO REMEMBER
The six-foot-three, 240 pound linebackerβs local roots begin with his grandparents.
His grandfather Larry was born and raised in Thorsby, Alberta a mere 72 km away from Commonwealth Stadium. He met and married Joelβs grandmother in Thorsby prior to moving the United States in the 1970s. Both Joelβs grandparents were pastors and it is where he gets his connection to religion and his belief in his divine path.
His belief in that path was strengthened with his selection by the Edmonton Elks.Β In a bit of serendipity, if it wasnβt for the Edmonton Football franchise, Dublanko may not even be here.
That is not to say he wouldnβt be in the CFL β much like Marty McFly in Back to the Future β he may not even exist.
β(My grandparents) first date they ever had was at an Edmonton game, so this place is home for us.β Dublanko said. βThis has just been such a cool moment, just being able to have my grandma come up and you can tell this is a home for us. The last time I was here is when my great grandma passed away, but I have a lot of good memories, and family, and a lot of loved ones up here.β
Thankfully the date between Larry and Sharon went off without a hitch and they were eventually able to wed and establish their roots. Although they would move to the States, the ties that bind the Dublankos to Edmonton still run surprisingly deep. Joelβs cousin, Curtis Dublanko, was also a member of the Green and Gold back in 2014.
Curtis played parts of four seasons in the CFL β three years with the Montreal Alouettes and one in Edmonton β before being inducted into the Leduc Sports Hall of Fame in 2023.Β As much of an amazing story Dublanko is with his personal connection with the Elks, it wonβt mean anything once the stadium lights are on.
Luckily for the Elks, thatβs one area where he certainly excels.
A PROβS PRO
In the educated guessing that surrounds any professional league draft, there is always an uncertainty around how a pick will adjust to the pro game. However, in Dublankoβs case, there is much less projection on what he can bring to the next level, because heβs already played at the next level.
Dublanko is a rare commodity among Canadian Football League draft prospects. He attended an NFL training camp in 2022 with the Seattle Seahawks and played a full season professionally with the USFLβs Philadelphia Stars in 2023.
The former Cincinnati Bearcat team captain believes those experience have forged him into a better player.
βIβm confident in who I am and what I bring to the table,β Dublanko said. βI think itβs just been an awesome experience being able to have some of that to fall back on. To have those reps, seeing some of the best guys, training with the best guys, and picking their brains in the locker rooms β itβs been a really big blessing.
βI think itβs helped me prepare even more for this next step. Just knowing what everybody says, βprepare like a pro.β Well, I know what to do because I am a pro.β
Dublanko showed his commitment to the sport and CFL game when heΒ showed up for CFL National Combine in Winnipeg back on March 19. He already had a yearβs worth of pro tape to rest his hat on, but still decided to make his presence felt among Canadian Footballβs top brass and put his best foot forward. The linebacker blew expectations out of the water with his mix of size, athleticism, and professionalism.
It certainly didnβt hurt that his 4.59-second 40-yard dash, 35-inch vertical jump, and 16 reps of 225 lbs on the bench press all but cemented his status as a top prospect.
When it comes to what Elks fans can expect from the linebacker on the field, Dublanko vows to win over fans with his tireless work ethic and team first style of play.
βI would consider myself somebody who just relentlessly pursues the football. I will always be around the football, a high production guy,β Dublanko said about his game. βIβm a guy whoβs going to bring energy on defense, going to be a leader in the locker room, play with a high standard, bring others around with me, and try to make other people around me better. Iβm somebody whoβs a student of the game and loves the game of football. My life really is faith, family and football. Thatβs what I surround my life with and thatβs what Iβve structured my life around.β
A SINGLE GOAL
As Dublanko was going about the CFL Draft process, he was able to gather some further insight into the league from another famous Canadian/American hybrid in Alex Singleton. The California native gained Canadian Draft eligibility back in 2016, before embarking on a three-year CFL career with the Calgary Stampeders that saw him become a two-time CFL All-Star (2017, 2018) and the leagueβs Most Outstanding Defensive Player in 2017.
Singleton has been playing in the National Football League since 2019, leading the league in tackles last year with 177. He was able to share his similar journey with Dublanko and provide him a little insight on what he can expect come training camp in early May.
Who connected #CFLDraft prospect Joel Dublanko with Alex Singleton? None other than @FarhanLaljiTSN π₯
FULL: https://t.co/uHO8v3KEw9
πΊ: Watch the 2024 #CFLDraft on TSN and TSN+
ποΈ: April 30th at 8 PM ET pic.twitter.com/QNGa6F4KJmβ CFL (@CFL) April 29, 2024
βIt was so nice talking to Alex. He was so generous. He had nothing but great things to say about the CFL. He loved his time there and the people there,β Dublanko said. βHe said, βdonβt overlook your time there or have an attitude of Iβm just trying to get out of here. Really enjoy your time because youβll experience nothing like it. The fans are amazing.β
βHe also said, βguys up in the CFL, theyβre good. Donβt think that youβre going to a secondary league. Some of the guys in the CFL, a lot of them are better than guys down in the NFL, itβs just politics get involved,β and Iβve fallen subject to that as well.β
Now that he is a member of the Edmonton Elks β celebrating with his family on draft day in an office overlooking the field in Commonwealth Stadium β he is ready to give it his all and justify the teamβs conviction in selecting him first overall.
βI love the game of football,β Dublanko said. βI just love to learn it and I feel like this is a new opportunity to learn the game in a different way.β