The Memphis Showboats signed defensive back William Likely last Thursday.
William Likely is five foot seven and weighs 179 pounds. The 29-year-old from Belle Glade, Florida, made 30 tackles (19 solo, 11 assists), half a sack, one interception for five yards, and 16 punt returns for 206 yards in ten games for the Houston Roughnecks (XFL) in 2023. The Roughnecks drafted Likely in the first round (8th pick) of the 2023 XFL Supplemental Draft.
Before Houston, Likely signed with the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2017. In 2018, Likely signed with the Toronto Argonauts playing five games making 12 tackles.
Then, he signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in 2019 making one tackle and three tackles on special teams in three games. After Hamilton, he signed with the D.C. Defenders (XFL) in 2020 but was released before the season began. In 2021, Likely played for the Jousters (TSL) helping them reach the Mega Bowl.
A year later, Likely was drafted by the Houston Gamblers (USFL) in the ninth round (71st pick) of the 2022 USFL Draft. He led the Gamblers with 63 tackles (47 solo, 16 assists), three tackles for loss, half a sack, four interceptions for 87 yards, one touchdown, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, eight pass breakups, seven kick returns for 143 yards, and nine punt returns for 110 yards in ten games on his way to being named to the All-USFL Team.
Collegiately, Likely played four seasons at Maryland (2013-16) making 229 tackles (174 solo, 55 assists), 16.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, seven interceptions for 170 yards, two touchdowns, 29 pass breakups, and one fumble recovery in 43 games for the Terrapins. He was named First Team All-Big 10 in 2015.
