The B.C. Lions released wide receiver Keon Hatcher on Sunday and are set to sign defensive back Deontai Williams to a two-year contract through the 2026 season when free agency opens next Tuesday according to The Canadian Press writer Dan Ralph.
Keon Hatcher is six foot one and weighs 212 pounds. The 30-year-old from Tulsa, Oklahoma, made 38 catches for 608 yards in 11 games for the Lions in 2024. He missed most of the 2024 season with an Achilles injury.
The Oakland Raiders signed Hatcher as an undrafted free agent on May 5, 2017. He also had stints with the Detroit Lions, Baltimore Ravens, Green Bay Packers, and the New York Jets. In 2018, he played one regular season game for the Oakland Raiders against the Baltimore Ravens making one catch for eight yards.
The B.C. Lions signed Hatcher on June 8, 2021. In 2023, he made 78 catches for 1,226 yards, and six touchdowns in 16 games for the Lions in 2023. He was named a CFL West All-Star and CFL All-Star in 2023. In four seasons in B.C., Hatcher has made 203 catches for 3,091 yards, 13 touchdowns, and one punt return for nine yards in 51 games.
Collegiately, Hatcher played five years at Arkansas (2012-16) making 130 catches for 1,866 yards, 19 touchdowns, 21 carries for 159 yards, one touchdown, 16 kick returns for 357 yards, and one punt return for 21 yards in 47 games for the Razorbacks.
Deontai Williams is six foot and weighs 205 pounds. The 28-year-old from Jacksonville, Florida, made 49 tackles, two interceptions, and one forced fumble in 13 games for the Roughriders in 2024.
The Seattle Seahawks signed Williams as an undrafted free agent on May 6, 2022. In 2022, he made seven tackles (6 solos, 1 assist) in three preseason games. The Seahawks released him on August 30, 2022. The Saskatchewan Roughriders signed Williams on January 9, 2023. In 2023, he made 41 tackles, six tackles on special teams, and one interception in 14 games.
Collegiately, Williams played four seasons at Nebraska (2018-21) making 122 tackles (77 solos, 45 assists), seven tackles for loss, one sack, six interceptions for 31 yards, one touchdown, nine pass breakups, three forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries in 30 games for the Cornhuskers. He was named a two-time Honorable-Mention All-Big Ten (2020-21).
