Stampeders sign former NFL, XFL receiver Dan Williams III

Photo courtesy: Jackson State University

The Calgary Stampeders have signed American receiver Dan Williams III.

The six-foot-two, 215-pound Williams attended training camp with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 2017 and he’s been with multiple NFL teams. As a member of the Tampa Bay Vipers in 2020, he was the league’s second-leading receiver when the pandemic forced the XFL to shut down. In five games for the Vipers, he had 23 catches for 338 yards and one touchdown.

Williams attended NFL mini-camps with the Oakland Raiders and Detroit Lions in 2018 before signing as an undrafted free agent with the New York Jets. He has also spent time with Washington, Cleveland and Seattle. Williams joined the Alliance of American Football’s Memphis Express in 2019.

Collegiately, Williams played 41 games over four seasons at Jackson State University and tallied 183 receptions for 2,481 yards and 19 touchdowns. He also had 11 kick-off returns for 207 yards while with the Tigers. He finished his collegiate career as the school’s all-time leader in receptions.

Calgary has also inked American defensive lineman Dadi Nicolas to a new contract.

The six-foot-three, 235-pound Nicolas was selected in the sixth round, 203rd overall by the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2016 NFL draft. He played 11 games for the Chiefs in 2016 but missed the 2017 season due to injury. He has also spent NFL time with Seattle, Washington, Indianapolis and Denver.

Collegiately, Nicolas played 49 games over four years at Virginia Tech. He earned second-team all-Atlantic Coast Conference honours as a junior in 2014 after recording 71 tackles including 18.5 tackles for loss while adding nine sacks and one fumble recovery. For his career with the Hokies, Nicolas had 166 tackles including 36 tackles for loss, 17.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and one interception.

Nicolas first signed with the Stampeders on April 16, 2020, and, following the cancellation of the 2020 CFL season, opted out of his contract on August 26.