Deontai Williams will report to the B.C. Lions' training camp next month with an open mind.
The six-foot, 205-pound Florida native signed a two-year deal with B.C. in free agency after spending his first two CFL seasons with Saskatchewan. Williams played cornerback with the Roughriders but was at safety with the NFL's Seattle Seahawks in 2022.
Williams and veteran Garry Peters give B.C. two quality cornerbacks. But Williams is open to playing wherever the Lions want him to in 2025.
"I'm versatile, I can play anywhere the team needs me," Williams said. "I'm always going to find a way to be great at that spot, that's just how I am.
"I've always been a team player … I just try to be a weapon for the defence, be that physical guy, that playmaker, the guy who gets stuff done and who you can trust. I can't wait to get to camp, meet and bond with the guys and get to work."
Williams won't be B.C.'s lone new face. Buck Pierce is in his first year as head coach/offensive co-ordinator following 10 seasons as an assistant with Winnipeg, the last four as offensive co-ordinator.
Veteran coach Mike Benevides will be B.C.'s defensive co-ordinator following two seasons as special-teams co-ordinator. Benevides was also the Lions' head coach from 2012-14.
Williams, 28, had 49 tackles, two interceptions and a forced fumble in 13 regular-season games with Saskatchewan in 2024. Over his two-year tenure, Williams had 90 tackles, six special-teams tackles, three interceptions, a fumble recovery and forced fumble in 27 regular-season contests.
Williams hit free agency this off-season for the first time. The former Nebraska Cornhusker said it was a learning experience.
"You never know what teams are interested in you until the day the (communication) window opens," he said. "I'm so glad B.C. called because I've always been a fan.
"That black and orange looks good, the stadium looks crazy and they've always been a contender and a great organization. I'm thankful and blessed B.C. gave me this opportunity, I'm not going to let it go to waste."
Kenny Kim of Summit Athletes, Williams' Florida-based agent, said his client had options this off-season.
"During the free-agency process, Deontai garnered a lot of attention throughout the league," Kim said. "He ultimately made a decision we feel best suits his skill set and will allow Deontai to excel again this season.
"Deontai is a quiet assassin who lets his play speak for itself. I expect he'll be a leader on defence."
Williams signed with Saskatchewan in January 2023, roughly five months after being released by Seattle. At the time, Williams was still looking for another NFL opportunity before consulting his father, Roosevelt, about the CFL.
The elder Williams was also a defensive back who played with Edmonton in 2006 following NFL stints with Chicago (2002) and Cleveland (2003).
"My dad felt I'd have a good opportunity to play and have fun doing what I love to do," Williams said. "I'm very grateful Saskatchewan gave me my first CFL opportunity but this is a business and you can never take anything personally.
"That's something I've learned throughout my professional career … sometimes you've got to move on but I have nothing but love for Saskatchewan."
Williams has incorporated his father's constructive criticisms into his off-season program.
"I always ask my dad about what areas he thinks I'm weak in and need to work on," Williams said. "But I work on everything.
"My body is a Lamborghini and you've got to take care of it. You have to make sure everything is in place."
Entering his third CFL season, Williams feels comfortable with the nuances of Canadian football.
"My first year, everything was happening too fast but it started to slow down toward the end of the season as I kept playing," he said. "Last year, it really felt like I was acclimated to the CFL because I knew the game better and it slowed down for me."
But Williams has yet to experience the CFL playoffs, something he hopes changes with B.C.
"That's just the passion of football, you always want to win, right?" he said. "I'm the first to say I'm a sore loser, I hate to lose.
"The goal has always been to get the Grey Cup, get that championship."
This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 4, 2025.
Dan Ralph, The Canadian Press
