The B.C. Lions released running back William Stanback on Thursday to pursue other opportunities while signing wide receivers Jaivian Lofton and Edward Lee according to the CFL Transactions page.
William Stanback is six foot and weighs 233 pounds. The 30-year-old from Hempstead, New York, signed with the B.C. Lions on February 6, 2024. In 2024, Stanback had 231 carries for 1,175 yards, three touchdowns, 46 catches for 413 yards, two touchdowns, and two tackles in 18 games.
The Green Bay Packers signed Stanback as an undrafted free agent on May 8, 2017. In 2017, he had two carries for zero yards in two preseason games. The Packers released him on August 28, 2017. In 2018, Stanback signed with the Montreal Alouettes. He played two seasons in Montreal with 251 carries for 1,587 yards, five touchdowns, 58 catches for 642 yards, two touchdowns, three tackles, eight tackles on special teams, and 19 kick returns for 464 yards in 28 games.
The Alouettes released him on January 2, 2020, and he signed with the Las Vegas Raiders on January 3, 2020. There were no preseason games played in 2020, and the Raiders released him on August 23, 2020. Then, Stanback signed with the Montreal Alouettes on December 14, 2021.
In 2022, Stanback had 34 carries for 153 yards, one touchdown, six catches for 61 yards, and one touchdown in five games. In 2023, Stanback had 147 carries for 800 yards, two touchdowns, 36 catches for 241 yards, and one touchdown in 14 games. In the 110th Grey Cup, Stanback scored a 32-yard touchdown in a 28-24 win over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
Stanback is a two-time CFL All-Star (2019, 2021), a two-time CFL East All-Star (2019, 2021), CFL rushing yards leader in 2021, and the winner of the Terry Evanshen Trophy (East Division’s Most Outstanding Player) in 2021.
Collegiately, Stanback played three seasons at UCF (2013-15) with 307 carries for 1,152 yards, 16 touchdowns, 27 catches for 244 yards, three touchdowns, and 11 kick returns for 218 yards in 25 games for the Knights, of which he made seven starts. He was a First Team All-AAC in 2014.
Then, Stanback transferred to Virginia Union in 2016 with 207 carries for 1,299 yards, 15 touchdowns, 12 catches for 165 yards, and three touchdowns in ten games for the Panthers. He was named First Team All-CIAA in 2016.
Jaivian Lofton is six foot one and weighs 200 pounds. A native of Rancho Cucamonga, California, Lofton went undrafted in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Collegiately, Lofton played three seasons at Liberty (2020-22) making 16 catches for 204 yards, three touchdowns, and one tackle (1 solo) in 17 games for the Flames. Then, he transferred to Utah Tech in 2023 making 15 catches for 204 yards, and two touchdowns in eight games for the Trailblazers.
Edward Lee is five foot ten and weighs 185 pounds. The 25-year-old from Washington, D.C., signed with the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent on June 5, 2023. The Patriots released him on August 2, 2023. Next, he signed a letter of intent on December 14, 2023, to play for the Orlando Guardians (XFL). However, the Guardians were not included in the XFL and USFL merger that formed the United Football League and he became a free agent.
The B.C. Lions signed Lee on December 19, 2023. In 2024, Lee appeared in two preseason games but did not record any stats. The Lions released him on June 2, 2024.
Collegiately, Lee played five seasons at Rhode Island (2018-22) with 86 catches for 1,262 yards, eight touchdowns, and 15 punt returns for 163 yards in 37 games for the Rams. He was named Second Team All-CAA in 2022.
