VODKOW built for this: REDBLACKS’ Williams equal to the opportunity

When opportunity has knocked on Ottawa REDBLACKS’ running back Devonte Williams’ door, he has been there to answer.

Throughout his career, Williams has always been seeking chance, perhaps most prominently in his collegiate career at Indiana University, where he switched to cornerback just to get himself on the field.

“I went into training camp having never played corner before, and I ended up starting,” Williams said. “I ended up going back to offence because there was no feeling like having the ball in my hands, and I never wanted to lose that feeling. It felt empty. That wasn’t my role, and I knew I could contribute in a much bigger and better way as a running back.”

Later, Williams transferred to Southeastern Louisiana University – once again to get himself on the field. In his two seasons with the Lions, Williams did enough to position himself for professional opportunities, however, COVID-19 derailed his plans, forcing him to take a brief step back.

He consulted with his agent, who suggested he attend a scouting event in San Diego, which Williams did three times, finally drawing eyes during his last workout. The NFL’s New England Patriots brought him in for a look, but due to unforeseen circumstances, Williams wasn’t offered a contract, despite what he believed was a worthy effort.

“It’s just a timing thing, and nobody could predict that situation,” Williams said. “It’s just another obstacle in the way of the ultimate goal, so you have to play it day-by-day, and hope for the right opportunity. That’s all it was.”

Soon after the disappointment of missing out on the NFL, Williams got a call from the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, and earned a practice roster spot. At practice, he was now looking up at Andrew Harris – one of the greatest backs in the CFL’s long history, and future Hall-of-amer, Brady Oliveira, and Johnny Augustine, a talented running back’s room, to say the least.

When his new teammates saw Williams in action, they knew right away there was something there. He wasn’t just a camp body, he was a player with the potential to become a household name in due time.

“I thought he was really explosive and elusive,” Harris said. “He caught the ball out of the backfield really well, but the biggest thing that surprised me was his pass protection. He’s a smaller guy, but he was willing to get out there and block. Most smaller backs don’t want to do that, but he had all of the intangibles.”

For Harris, Williams’ skillset was one he recognized the Bombers could utilize part of the way into the season, and he began pushing the coaching staff to give him a shot.

“Janarion Grant was hurt during that season, and I was really lobbying for Devonte to be added to the roster as a kick returner,” Harris said. “I always thought that if he was given the opportunity, he could have a season like he did this year, and from the outside looking in, I was really proud of him.”

Although that chance never came in Winnipeg, it was time well spent, as he used the plethora of experience to his advantage, expanding his repertoire for whenever his opportunity did come along.

“I knew I was fully capable of this, but it’s all about the opportunity that’s presented to you,” Williams said. “I was blessed to be able to build a phenomenal relationship with Harris, and we still talk to this day. That has been extremely beneficial, I got to learn a lot, and I applied it.”

After signing with the REDBLACKS in 2022, Williams had a couple of starts, but really came into his own after winning the job in 2023. His first season as a full-time starter didn’t quite go to plan results-wise, as lessons were learned about what it takes to win at the CFL level.

“It was extremely frustrating, but at the end of the day, the only thing I can control is what I do from an individual aspect, doing my part,” Williams said. “I know that we’re well deserving of [better] results, we had the pieces, but we need to figure out ways to get them.”

Individually, however, Williams accomplished one of his major goals – reaching 1,000 yards rushing.

“It was a blessing,” Williams said. “It’s hard to even put it into words, it was a huge accomplishment. For me, reaching 1,000 yards is something I haven’t had the opportunity to do since high school, so to do it at the professional level with the journey I took to get here makes the story 10 times better.”

“There’s still a lot left in the tank that I can bring to the table. That makes it even better.”

Along with the accomplishments of Oliveria and other backs who surpassed 1,000 yards, Harris was able to see a change to the landscape in the CFL.

“In the last few years, the running back position has kinda died off,” Harris said. “Back in the day, you would have a few tailbacks with at least 1,000 yards, and some would even hit 1,500. This year, we’ve seen it come alive again, and it has been the young guys. It shows a lot of promise for the league going forward. It’s great to see.”

Thankful for a chance to play ball, Williams rocks the Canadian flag proudly on his chinstrap every weekend, something he has dedicated to the fans of Canadian football, and the game itself.

“I’m big into the swag, and I love the Canadian flag,” Williams said. “I’m forever appreciative of the opportunity to come up here and have fans embrace me. I’m living out a dream to go out there every weekend to do something I love, and being compensated for that. Canada is my second home.”

Williams has now been back home for a handful of weeks, spending most of his time with his young son, taking time away from football before a hectic offseason. His goals haven’t been forgotten, and as he sat down to watch the Grey Cup last weekend, he was only reminded of them.

He watched some former teammates hoist the Grey Cup, and saw an underdog story unfold right before his eyes, as they accomplished his dreams. It has added some fuel to the fire, but also serves as an aide-memoire that his goals are obtainable.

“I’ve envisioned myself holding up that trophy one day,” Williams said. “I’ve won championships at every single level I’ve been to, so that’s my goal. It goes to show that this league is a marathon. Your team has to keep their mind on the prize, and it doesn’t matter what path you take if you get there.”

Reaching those goals isn’t easy, but Harris has reached the mountaintop his fair share of times. He says the next step for Williams isn’t about what he does on the field, it comes down to how he can bring the best out of his teammates.

“It’s how he can motivate the offensive line, how he can make the offence as a whole better,” Harris said. “That comes from leading by example, and meeting with the offensive line to help make sure you’re getting the most out of every opportunity, and making everyone around you better. That’s the biggest thing that goes unnoticed.”