EDMONTON – The Edmonton Elks have signed former Raines High School quarterback Ivory Durham IV. Durham becomes the newest member of the professional quarterback club from Northeast Florida, joining Bolles QB Mac Jones (New England Patriots), Bishop Kenny’s John Wolford (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), First Coast’s DeAndre Johnson (New Jersey Generals/USFL), and Bartram’s Nathan Peterman (Chicago Bears).
The 2017 Class 4A Player of the Year led Raines to its second state championship ever that year. The senior passed for a whopping 3,004 yards, 35 Touchdowns, and 7 Interceptions. He also rushed 49 times for 394 yards, and 9 TDs to add to those incredible numbers.
In the process he became the all-time passing leader at Raines, moving ahead of Vince Robinson’s 30 year record. The senior also set a new single season touchdown passing record, set by Raines Mack Frazier (Clemson) in 1997 a remarkable feat. Ivory Durham IV passed Neas’s Tim Tebow (Florida) for third in career passing yards, and at the time sat behind only First Coast’s DeAndre Johnson (FAU,Texas Southern) and Bishop Kenny’s John Wolford (Wake Forest) .
Durham would go on to sign with Valdosta State where he played four seasons from 2018-2022. There he would light up the Gulf South Conference passing for 6,804 yards and 69 touchdowns while also rushing for 2,403 yards and 27 touchdowns in 50 career games for the Blazers.
In 2021, Durham was named to the Gulf South Conference All-Second Team and Conference Commissioner’s Second Team All-Region, while helping lead Valdosta State to the national championship game. Yet he left an indelible mark on the program with his breath-taking plays on the field.
The Elks get a true champion in the 5’11, 200 pound quarterback. He has won at every level of football. A national champions in youth football (M.O.T), a state champion in high school football (Raines HS), and a national champion in college (VSU). He is a winner, and has proven doubters wrong where ever he goes. Now, he will do it as a professional in the CFL.
