It didn’t take long for Nick Anderson to become not only a rising star, but a franchise building block for the Edmonton Elks.

The Canadian Football League team announced Wednesday that it has signed the Vicksburg native to a one-year contract extension that runs through 2026. Terms of the contract were not announced.

“This is where I started. This is a team that gave me an opportunity when a lot of other doors were closed and I’m a loyal guy. So wanting to stay here, wanting to bring greatness here, being able to get here and look at this stadium each and every day and see the legacy that’s been established here,” Anderson said. “I want to be a part of that. I want to be able to help create a legacy while I’m here, and so that was one of the deciding factors in just staying here and getting it done in Edmonton. It’s one thing to go somewhere else where a team may be a favorite, but why not get it done at a place that gave me an opportunity?”

Anderson, who played at Vicksburg High, Jones College and Tulane, was the CFL’s Most Outstanding Rookie in 2024 after leading the league with 116 total tackles. It was the second-highest total for a first-year player in CFL history.

In addition to the rookie award, Anderson was named to the All-CFL and All-West Division teams. He was recently ranked No. 23 on TSN’s list of the top 50 CFL players for the 2025 season.

The journey continues for Nick Anderson 🔥#GoElks pic.twitter.com/rLpat3oT9G

— Edmonton Elks (@GoElks) June 4, 2025

Anderson had a team-high 10 tackles in the Elks’ 20-19 win over British Columbia in their preseason finale on May 30. The teams will play again Saturday at 9 p.m. in the regular-season opener. The game will be televised on CBS Sports Network.

“We believe Nick is a rising young player in this league and fits the mold of the type of person we want in our locker room and in our community,” Elks VP of Football Operations and General Manager Ed Hervey said in a statement announcing the new contract. “We’re excited Nick has shown his commitment to the Green and Gold and the city of Edmonton for the next two years.”