Shomari Williams facts for kids
| UBC Thunderbirds | |
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| Born: | March 8, 1985 Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
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| Career information | |
| CFL status | National |
| Position(s) | Defensive line coach |
| Height | 6 ft 1 in (185 cm) |
| Weight | 232 lb (105 kg) |
| University | Queen's |
| CFL draft | 2010 / Round: 1 / Pick: 1 |
| Drafted by | Saskatchewan Roughriders |
| Career history | |
| As coach | |
| 2018 | Queen's Gaels (AC) |
| 2019–present | UBC Thunderbirds (DLC) |
| As player | |
| 2010–2012 | Saskatchewan Roughriders |
| 2013 | Hamilton Tiger-Cats |
| 2014 | Saskatchewan Roughriders |
| 2015 | Calgary Stampeders* |
| 2015 | Edmonton Eskimos* |
| Career highlights and awards | |
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2009 Vanier Cup Champion
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| Honours |
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| Career stats | |
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Shomari Gyasi Williams, born on March 8, 1985, is a coach for the UBC Thunderbirds football team. He coaches the defensive line and helps find new players. He used to be a professional Canadian football player. Shomari played as a defensive end for six seasons in the Canadian Football League (CFL).
He was the very first player picked in the 2010 CFL Draft by the Saskatchewan Roughriders. The Roughriders even traded with another team to get the chance to pick him first! Shomari also played for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats for one season. Later, he was traded back to the Roughriders. Before playing professionally, he played college football for the Queen's Golden Gaels and the Houston Cougars.
Outside of football, Shomari runs two companies. These companies help high school student athletes get noticed by colleges. They also help students get chances to earn sports scholarships. One company, Student Blitz, started when he was still in college. It helped many Canadian players get scholarships in the NCAA. His Canadian company, Top Prospects, now has the biggest list of high school football players in Canada.
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Shomari Williams' Early Football Days
Playing in High School
Shomari Williams first went to North Park Secondary School in Brampton, Ontario. There, he played football for the North Park Vikings. After that, he spent two years at Champlain Regional Prep in Lennoxville, Quebec.
He was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) for his team. He also earned a spot on the All-Canadian team during his high school years. In one of his best high school games, Shomari made 11 tackles. He also forced the other team to drop the ball. Many universities wanted him to play for them. These included the University of Houston, University of South Florida, Rutgers, and Connecticut.
Playing in University
At the University of Houston, Shomari mostly played on special teams. In his first year, he also spent some time as a fullback. During his second year, he played in all 13 of his team's games. This was the most he played while at Houston. In his third year, he played in only two games.
After his third year, Shomari moved to Queen's University. He had already finished his degree in entrepreneurship at the University of Houston. He wanted to continue his education in Canada.
At Queen's University, Shomari played as a defensive end for the Queen's Golden Gaels. During the regular season, he played in six games. He made 32 tackles and four sacks. He was named Queen's University Athlete of the Week twice that season. In the playoffs, Shomari played even better. He made 26 tackles and 5.5 sacks in four playoff games. He was named the Most Valuable Player at the 2009 Mitchell Bowl. In that game, Queen's beat the Laval Rouge et Or. Queen's then won the 2009 Vanier Cup, becoming Canada's national champions.
Shomari Williams' Professional Career
Starting with the Saskatchewan Roughriders
Shomari did very well at the CFL Evaluation Camp. Because of this, he was named the top player for the 2010 CFL Draft. This was according to the Canadian Football League’s Amateur Scouting Bureau.
The day before the draft, the Toronto Argonauts traded their first overall draft pick to the Saskatchewan Roughriders. The Roughriders also got the eighth overall pick. In return, the Argonauts received punter Jamie Boreham and the second and fourth overall picks. Shomari was flown to Regina to be introduced as the first overall pick on May 2, 2010. He signed a contract with the Roughriders on May 12, 2010.
Shomari played three seasons with the Roughriders. In his first two seasons, he mostly played on special teams. In his third season, he played a lot more as a defensive end and linebacker. He made 59 tackles and 2 sacks that year.
Playing for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats
On February 15, 2013, Shomari signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the CFL. This was the first day that CFL players could sign with new teams. In 2013, Shomari missed much of the season with the Tiger-Cats because of an injury.
Back with the Saskatchewan Roughriders
On February 17, 2014, Shomari was part of a trade. This trade sent him back to the Saskatchewan Roughriders. He played in all 18 regular season games that year. He made 17 tackles on special teams. He was released by the team on March 2, 2015.
Time with the Calgary Stampeders
On March 10, 2015, Shomari signed a contract with the Calgary Stampeders of the CFL.
Shomari Williams' Coaching Career
Coaching at Queen's University
On July 16, 2018, Shomari Williams joined the Queen's Gaels football team. He became an assistant coach and was in charge of finding new players. He spent the 2018 U Sports football season coaching at his old university.
Coaching at UBC Thunderbirds
For the 2019 U Sports football season, Shomari Williams joined the UBC Thunderbirds team. He became the team's defensive line coach and recruiting coordinator. He has been coaching there since then.
