Stampeders.com
Max Campbell | Stampeders.com
CALGARY — After five seasons of CFL football, Shomari Williams is still in search of that elusive Grey Cup championship.
Drafted first overall by Saskatchewan in 2010, Williams played three seasons in Regina before he was signed by the Tiger-Cats, only to return to Riderville one year later. Now proudly sporting Red and White, the Toronto product already has a good feeling about the 2015 campaign.
“Ever since I came into the league, Calgary has always been one of the top organizations in the CFL,” said No. 33. “So being here is really special and I think if we can just keep the ball rolling from what they had last year — and I can help contribute to that — then we’ll win another Grey Cup.”
Lining up along the defensive line on the practice field after spending the past few seasons at linebacker, the former Vanier Cup champion has no issues with swapping positions at this stage of his career. A versatile competitor, the veteran also had 17 special-teams tackles in 2014.
“Right now I’m a defensive end, which is completely fine,” Williams expressed adamantly. “I haven’t played D-end for a couple years so I’m just trying to relearn the position, but it’s great. Wherever I can help contribute to this team, that’s where I want to be.”
His CIS title came back in 2009 as a member of the Queen’s Golden Gaels, the same school where current Stampeders rookie and fellow defensive lineman Derek Wiggan rose to prominence. Taking him under his wing, the 30-year-old hopes to rub off on the first-year Stamp. Both sack artists led Queen’s in quarterback takedowns during their respective senior years.
“I can definitely see myself in him,” proclaimed Williams of his understudy. “We share lockers with each other so I try to coach him up a little bit the best I can and let him know how things go in the CFL. But he’s a great player and he’s making a lot of plays, so he’s doing well for himself.”
With training camp in full swing, Williams — who attended the University of Houston before returning to Canada — is anxious for the end of camp and the start of game action.
“You get into camp and I know everyone talks about ‘Is it June Yet’, but camp is the worst part, so June is the worst month,” chuckled Williams. “So getting that first pre-season game out of the way is definitely going to be something (positive) and going out there and hitting someone besides your own teammates is going to be good.”
