Deontai Williams
| No. 24 Saskatchewan Roughriders | |
 Williams with the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2024 | |
| Born: | October 4, 1996 Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. |
|---|---|
| Career information | |
| Status | Active |
| CFL status | American |
| Position(s) | Defensive back |
| Height | 6 ft 1 in (185 cm) |
| Weight | 225 lb (102 kg) |
| College | Jones County Junior College Nebraska |
| High school | Trinity Christian Academy (Jacksonville, FL) |
| Career history | |
| As player | |
| 2022 | Seattle Seahawks* |
| 2023–present | Saskatchewan Roughriders |
| *Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |
| Career stats | |
| |
Deontai Williams (born October 4, 1996) is an American professional football defensive back for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at Jones County Junior College and Nebraska. He has also been a member of the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League (NFL).
Early life
Williams played high school football at Trinity Christian Academy in Jacksonville, Florida.[1] His father, Roosevelt Williams, was also a football player.[1][2]
College career
Williams played college football at Jones County Junior College. He played one game in 2016, recording four tackles and one fumble recovery before suffering a season-ending injury and being redshirted. He appeared in 10 games in 2017, totaling 26 tackles, two interceptions and two forced fumbles.[1]
Williams transferred to play at Nebraska from 2018 to 2021.[3][1] He missed most of the 2019 season due to injury. He earned honorable mention All-Big Ten Conference honors in 2020 after accumulating 51 tackles, 1.0 sack, four pass breakups, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. Williams recorded 46 tackles, four interceptions and three pass breakups in 2021, garnering honorable mention All-Big Ten recognition.[1]
Professional career
Williams signed with the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League (NFL) on May 6, 2022. He was released on August 30, 2022.[4]
Williams was signed by the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League (CFL) on January 9, 2023.[4][5][6] He was moved to the practice roster on June 4, promoted to the active roster on June 15, placed on injured reserve on September 14, and activated from injured reserve on October 6, 2023.[4] He played in 14 games, all starts, for the Roughriders in 2023, recording 41 tackles on defense, six special teams tackles and one interception.[7][8]
References
- ^ a b c d e "Deontai Williams". huskers.com. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
- ^ "Riders DB Williams following in father's footsteps". tsn.ca. October 12, 2023. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
- ^ Basnett, Chris (July 26, 2021). "Leaning on a winding life's journey, 'Grandpa' Deontai Williams relishes role as leader for Husker football". journalstar.com. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
- ^ a b c "Deontai Williams". Footballdb.com. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
- ^ Gray, Britton (July 6, 2023). "'They are still there for me:' Family, friends drive Deontai Williams' football journey". ckom.com. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
- ^ Zary, Darren (May 30, 2023). "Former Cornhusker Deontai Williams looks for a home in CFL Roughriders' secondary". thestarphoenix.com. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
- ^ "Deontai Williams". cfl.ca. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
- ^ "Deontai Williams". statscrew.com. Retrieved March 4, 2024.