J-Min Pelley

J-Min Pelley,a Canadian gridiron football player (born 1998)

J-Min Pelley
Career information
No. 96 Edmonton Elks
J-Min Pelley in 2022.
Born:	(1998-03-23) March 23, 1998 (age 26) Calgary, Alberta
Status	1-Game Injured List
CFL status	National
Position(s)	DL
Height	6 ft 5 in (196 cm)
Weight	330 lb (150 kg)
University	University of Calgary
CFL draft	2022, Round: 2, Pick: Supplemental
Drafted by	Edmonton Elks
Career history
As player
2022–present	Edmonton Elks

Career stats
Playing stats at CFL.ca

J-Min Pelley (born March 23, 1998) is a Canadian football defensive lineman for the Edmonton Elks of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played U Sports football for the Calgary Dinos.

Early career

Pelley received "Athlete of the Year" honours with his Bishop McNally High School, playing football, rugby, basketball, and track.^[1]

Pelley played with his University team the Calgary Dinos in 2019 and 2020. Before signing with Calgary he received offers from multiple universities. Pelley said he wanted to play for his hometown, and that he wanted to play with the Dinos specifically because he watched them when he was younger.^[1] He won the 55th Vanier Cup with them in 2019, while making 2 sacks in the championship game.^[2] He was also selected to the second all Canadian team on defense in the same year.^[3]

Pelley played with the Okanagan Sun in 2018 and earned conference all star status.^[4] He also played with Football Canada on the 2016 junior national team.^[5]^[6]

Professional career

Edmonton Elks

The Edmonton Elks drafted Pelley in the 2022 CFL Supplemental Draft.^[7] Pelley was not eligible until the 2023 Draft but was granted special inclusion by Randy Ambrosie, the CFL Commissioner. Pelley was rated highly as a prospect, and was considered to have been a top three pick if he was eligible.^[8] When talking about Pelley being an option for the 2022 Supplemental draft, Jeff Hamilton of the Winnipeg Free Press said Pelley's availability to Edmonton (along with their expected first overall pick) would give them a clear advantage. Hamilton also discussed that Pelley may have been made available due to him having aged out of junior football, and having to wait a year before the 2023 CFL Draft may have caused issues with Pelleys raising children.^[9]

Before the first home game of the 2022 season, promoting Commonwealth Stadium's clear bag policy, Pelley was involved in an ad for the Elks branded clear bags. In it, he pours out a can of baked beans into the bag, before taking a handful and eating them. This ad earned him the nickname "Big Bean Guy."^[10]

In an interview about the Battle of Alberta, Pelley talked about the switch from Calgary to Edmonton. Having formerly played for the Calgary Dinos, who share McMahon Stadium with the Calgary Stampeders of the CFL, he noted how it felt confusing going to the visitors locker-room after years of playing for Calgary.^[11]

In the 2022 season, Pelley appeared in 16 games and recorded 11 total tackles.^[12]

In January 2023 Pelley declared for the 2023 NFL draft.^[13]

Playing style

Pelley is known for his ability to push through opponents,^[14]^[15] allowing him to have taken position as running back for a touchdown with the Dinos.^[16] He is also known for his ability to create pressure that causes opponents to rethink their strategy when playing against him.^[17]

Edmonton Elks defensive line coach Demetrious Maxie described Pelly as "One of a Kind" as well as quick, athletic, bright, and explosive.^[18]

References

^ ^a ^b Neumann, Jack (January 14, 2019). "SIGNED: J-Min Pelley". GoDinos. Retrieved October 8, 2022.
^ "Event #4016880 — Men's Football — U SPORTS". U SPORTS. Retrieved October 8, 2022.
^ "Western QB Merchant highlights 2019 award winners and all-Canadians". U SPORTS. Retrieved December 9, 2019.
^ "OKANAGAN SUN - 2018 Regular Season - Roster - #55 - Jmin Pelley - DL". BC Football. Retrieved August 9, 2022.
^ "J-Min Pelley - Football Canada". Football Canada. Retrieved August 9, 2022.
^ De Paoli, Gino (July 6, 2016). "Kellogg Representing Canada in China At The World Junior Football Championships". Okotoks Online. Retrieved October 8, 2022.
^ "Elks take DL J-Min Pelley, Stamps take T.J. Rayam in Supplemental Draft". Canadian Football League. May 5, 2022.
^ Campbell, Dave (May 5, 2022). "Elks take hulking defensive lineman Pelley in CFL supplemental draft". Global News. Retrieved October 4, 2022.
^ Hamilton, Jeff (April 19, 2022). "Negotiations about to heat up". Winnipeg Free Press. Retrieved October 8, 2022.
^ @GoElks (June 18, 2022). "DL J-Min Pelley - BIG BEAN GUY 🫘 🚨 REMINDER ELKS FANS - CLEAR BAG POLICY 🚨 Bags must be clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and not exceed 12″ x 6″ x 12. Even for your beans... For more information visit - https://bit.ly/3iegiod #GoElks #CFL #Beans #Football" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
^ Moddejonge, Gerry (July 6, 2022). "Next generation of Edmonton Elks getting familiar with Alberta rivalry". Edmonton Sun. Retrieved October 8, 2022.
^ "J-Min Pelley". Canadian Football League.
^ Abbott, JC (January 20, 2023). "Edmonton Elks' defensive tackle J-Min Pelley declares for 2023 NFL Draft". Three Down Nation. Retrieved January 21, 2023.
^ @lemonspread (September 7, 2022). "This is why @J_m_i_n is double teamed so often. Dangerous to take this man 1 on 1" (Tweet) – via Twitter./
^ Moore, Wayne (August 4, 2018). "Sun ready for season". Castanet. Castanet. Retrieved October 8, 2022.
^ @Dinos_Football (September 21, 2019). "J-MIN PELLEY! The big man brings the ball into the end zone and makes it 7-0 Dinos! #GoDinos" (Tweet) – via Twitter./
^ DeDekker, Jeff (September 17, 2022). "Elks pull out dramatic win over Roughriders with late field goal". CBC. CBC. Retrieved October 8, 2022.
^ Moddejonge, Gerry (August 5, 2022). "Cornelius not playing a third game in a week this time against Lions". Edmonton Sun. Retrieved October 8, 2022.