The Ottawa Redblacks placed running back Devonte Williams on the retired list on Wednesday according to the CFL Transactions page.
Devonte Williams is five foot nine and weighs 170 pounds. The 28-year-old from Columbia, Maryland, re-signed with the Ottawa Redblacks on February 1, 2024. Unfortunately, Williams suffered a torn Achilles during off-season training. He had successful surgery and missed the entire 2024 season.
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers signed Williams on July 13, 2021. He spent several weeks on the practice squad before they released him on September 30, 2021. Next, the Ottawa Redblacks signed Williams as a free agent on April 20, 2022. In 2022, Williams had 90 carries for 454 yards (5.0 AVG), and 27 catches for 159 yards (5.9 AVG) in eight games.
In 2023, Williams had 182 carries for 1,002 yards (5.5 AVG), three touchdowns, 37 catches for 327 yards (8.8 AVG), and four kick returns for 73 yards (18.2 AVG) in 15 games.
Collegiately, Williams played two seasons at Indiana University (2015-16) with 68 carries for 237 yards, 19 catches for 218 yards, two touchdowns, and 77 kick returns for 1,511 yards in 26 games for the Hoosiers. Williams is sixth on Indiana’s all-time list with 1,511 kick return yards.
Then, Williams transferred to Southeastern Louisiana (2017-18) with 222 carries for 892 yards, 12 touchdowns, 88 catches for 720 yards, three touchdowns, 10 kick returns for 164 yards, 18 punt returns for 251 yards, and one touchdown in 23 games for the Lions. He was named First Team All-Southland Conference in 2018.
