Just days after the end of the 2025 NFL Draft, the Canadian Football League (CFL) held its annual Global Draft and former Troy Trojan Richard Jibunor was among the Americans selected. 

Jibunor was selected third overall in the first round of the draft by the Edmonton Elks. The draft is held annually by the CFL to allow for the selection of players from across the world. Jibunor was the only former Sun Belt player to be selected in the draft. Coming into the draft, the Global Scouting Network ranked Jibunor as the No. 1 overall prospect.

Jibunor, a native of Nigeria, played high school football at Athens Christian School and started his college career at Auburn. After redshirting his freshman season at Auburn, Jibunor transferred to Troy. At Troy, Jibunor became one of the most feared and respected pass rushers in the Sun Belt. Alongside, Javon Solomon, the pair played the same bandit position for much of their careers, but going into the 2023 season Solomon moved to defensive end to allow the duo to be on the field together more often. 

Jibunor earned All-Sun Belt honors four consecutive seasons, including First-Team honors as a senior. As a senior, he tallied 59 tackles, 18 tackles-for-loss, 10 sacks and three forced fumbles, which were all career highs. For his career, he earned 174 total tackles, 46 tackles-for-loss, 30 sacks, three interceptions, nine forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. 

Jibunor ranks fourth all-time in school history in tackles-for-loss and sacks and third all-time in the Sun Belt’s history in sacks. His forced fumbles also ranked second in Troy history and he recorded three or more sacks in a game twice. His 3.5 sacks against ULM in 2023 is the second-most in school history, only behind Javon Solomon’s four in the same game and Osi Umenyiora’s four against Florida A&M in 2002. 

While Jibunor was not selected in the 2024 NFL Draft, he signed as an undrafted free agent with the Seattle Seahawks last season before being released during the season. The 6-foot-3-inch, 232-pound edge will begin his CFL career with the Edmonton Elks. Jibunor will be joined on the Elks by former Troy quarterback Jarret Doege, who has played in 20 games over the past two seasons with the Elks. 

Former Troy offensive lineman Antonio Garcia also plays for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, while former Troy defensive back Don Callis is on the roster for the Montreal Alouettes and defensive back Will Sunderland plays for the Toronto Argonauts. Former Trojan Chandler Worthy is a former CFL All-Star as a kick returner but is not currently on a CFL roster after being released by the Calgary Stampeders last season.