The Ottawa Redblacks and running back William Stanback agreed to a one-year contract through the 2025 season on Friday.
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 B.C. Lions released Stanback on January 9, 2024.
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.
