Deontai Williams Sr.

Deontai Williams Sr.
Williams with the BC Lions in 2025
No. 9 – BC Lions
PositionDefensive back
Roster status
 1-game injured list
CFL status
American
Personal information
Born (1996-10-04) October 4, 1996 (age 30)
Jacksonville, Florida, U.S.
Listed height
5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Listed weight
205 lb (93 kg)
Career information
High schoolTrinity Christian Academy (Jacksonville, FL)
CollegeJones County Junior College
Nebraska
NFL draft2022: undrafted
Career history
2022Seattle Seahawks*
2023–2024Saskatchewan Roughriders
2025–presentBC Lions
* Offseason or practice squad member only
Stats at CFL.ca

Deontai Williams Sr. (born October 4, 1996) is an American professional football defensive back for the BC Lions 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) and the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the CFL.

Early life

Williams Sr. played high school football at Trinity Christian Academy in Jacksonville, Florida. His father, Roosevelt Williams, was also a football player.

College career

Williams Sr. 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.

Williams Sr. transferred to play at Nebraska from 2018 to 2021. 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 Sr. recorded 46 tackles, four interceptions and three pass breakups in 2021, garnering honorable mention All-Big Ten recognition.

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand spanWingspan40-yard dash10-yard split20-yard split20-yard shuttleThree-cone drillVertical jumpBroad jumpBench press
5 ft 11+1⁄8 in
(1.81 m)		203 lb
(92 kg)		31+5⁄8 in
(0.80 m)		9+7⁄8 in
(0.25 m)		6 ft 2+7⁄8 in
(1.90 m)		4.59 s1.66 s2.59 s4.01 s6.78 s33.0 in
(0.84 m)		10 ft 3 in
(3.12 m)		14 reps
All values from Pro Day

Seattle Seahawks

Williams Sr. signed with the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League (NFL) on May 6, 2022. He was released by the Seahawks on August 30.

Saskatchewan Roughriders

Williams Sr. was signed by the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League (CFL) on January 9, 2023. 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. He played in 14 games, all starts, for the Roughriders in 2023, recording 41 tackles on defense, six special teams tackles and one interception. He became a free agent upon the expiry of his contract on February 11, 2025.

BC Lions

On February 11, 2025, it was announced that Williams Sr. had signed with the BC Lions. On September 23, 2026, Williams was signed to a two-year contract extension by the Lions, running through the 2028 season. On October 22, 2026, Williams Sr. was placed on the Lions' 1-game injured list.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Deontai Williams". huskers.com. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
  2. ↑ "Riders DB Williams following in father's footsteps". tsn.ca. The Canadian Press. October 12, 2023. Archived from the original on January 1, 2023. Retrieved March 4, 2024. {{cite web}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; October 13, 2023 suggested (help)
  3. ↑ 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.
  4. ↑ "Deontai Williams College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved June 13, 2026.
  5. 1 2 3 "Deontai Williams". Footballdb.com. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
  6. ↑ Gray, Britton (July 6, 2023). "'They are still there for me:' Family, friends drive Deontai Williams' football journey". ckom.com. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
  7. ↑ Zary, Darren (May 30, 2023). "Former Cornhusker Deontai Williams looks for a home in CFL Roughriders' secondary". thestarphoenix.com. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
  8. ↑ "Deontai Williams". cfl.ca. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
  9. ↑ "Deontai Williams". statscrew.com. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
  10. ↑ "Transactions – Football Player Trades and Signings". Canadian Football League. Retrieved February 11, 2025.
  11. ↑ "Official 2025 Free Agent Tracker". Canadian Football League. Retrieved February 11, 2025.
  12. ↑ "Lions Sign Free Agent Defensive Back Deontai Williams". BC Lions. February 11, 2025.
  13. ↑ "Lions Lock Up Deontai Williams Through 2028". bclions.com. Retrieved September 25, 2026.
  14. ↑ "Transactions". bclions.com. Retrieved October 23, 2026.