The Calgary Stampeders signed running back D.J. Williams and defensive lineman Byron Vaughns to the practice squad on Sunday. In addition, Ryan Jones, who was placed on the retired list earlier this year, has returned to the team.
D.J. Williams is five foot ten and weighs 225 pounds. The 25-year-old from Lake Placid, Florida, signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent on May 10, 2024. In 2024, he had 14 carries for 43 yards and one catch for six yards in three preseason games. In the regular season, he returned two kickoffs for 54 yards in one game. The Buccaneers released him on August 4, 2025.
Collegiately, Williams played two seasons at Auburn (2019-20) with 122 carries for 599 yards, five touchdowns, and 12 catches for 72 yards in 15 games for the Tigers. Next, he transferred to Florida State in 2021 with 10 carries for 47 yards, one touchdown, and one tackle (1 assist) in six games for the Seminoles.
Then, he transferred to Arizona (2022-23) with 145 carries for 748 yards, eight touchdowns, and six catches for 67 yards in 24 games for the Wildcats.
D.J.’s uncle is four-time Pro Bowler and Hall of Fame running back Edgerrin James, who played with the Indianapolis Colts, Arizona Cardinals, and Seattle Seahawks.
Byron Vaughns is six foot four and weighs 238 pounds. The 24-year-old from Fort Worth, Texas, signed with the Montreal Alouettes on May 1, 2025. In 2025, he made four tackles and one sack in two preseason games, making the practice squad. In the regular season, Vaughns made eight tackles and one tackle on special teams in seven games. The Alouettes released him on August 12, 2025.
The Dallas Cowboys signed Vaughns as an undrafted free agent on May 10, 2024. The Cowboys released him on August 7, 2024. The Houston Roughnecks signed Vaughns on March 14, 2025. In 2025, he made six tackles (3 solos, 3 assists) in four games. The Roughnecks released him on April 28, 2025.
Collegiately, Vaughns played two seasons at Texas (2019-20) making 14 tackles (10 solos, 4 assists), one forced fumble, and one punt return for -6 yards in 12 games for the Longhorns. Next, he transferred to Utah State (2021-22) making 99 tackles (43 solos, 56 assists), 19 tackles for loss, six sacks, six pass breakups, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery in 25 games for the Aggies. He was named Mountain West Championship Game Defensive MVP in 2021.
Then, he transferred to Baylor in 2023 making 32 tackles (21 solos, 11 assists), eight tackles for loss, three sacks, one pass breakup, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and one touchdown in 11 games for the Bears.
Ryan Jones is six foot three and weighs 247 pounds. The 26-year-old from Charlotte, North Carolina, signed with the Calgary Stampeders on January 28, 2025. In 2025, Jones appeared in one preseason game and recorded no stats. He was placed on the retired list on May 26, 2025.
The New York Giants signed Jones as an undrafted free agent on May 5, 2023. In 2023, he made three catches for 21 yards in three preseason games. The Giants released him on August 29, 2023, and re-signed him to the practice squad on August 30, 2023.
Collegiately, Jones played two seasons at Oklahoma (2018-19) playing linebacker making 29 tackles (21 solos, 8 assists), 2.5 tackles for loss, one interception, and one pass breakup in 18 games for the Sooners. Then, he transferred to East Carolina (2021-22) as a tight end making 78 catches for 855 yards, 9 touchdowns, two carries for one yard, and two tackles (2 assists) in 24 games for the Pirates.
