February 17, 2014

Back in Green: Williams highlights Riders, Ticats trade

CFL.ca

CFL.ca Staff

REGINA — The Saskatchewan Roughriders and Hamilton Tiger-Cats completed a trade Monday morning that will see the Roughriders acquire non-import linebacker Shomari Williams, non-import punter Josh Bartel and the eighth overall selection in the 2014 CFL Draft in exchange for the ninth overall selection and the eleventh overall selection.   

Williams returns for his second stint with the Green and White after originally being selected by the team in the first round (1st overall) in the 2010 Canadian Draft.

Williams signed with Hamilton as a free agent on February 15, 2013.  He registered one defensive tackle and one special teams tackle in six games with the Ticats last season.

The Toronto native spent three seasons with the Riders before signing with the Tiger-Cats as free agent prior to last season. In 2013 the Queen’s product played just six games, missing the majority of the season due to injury.

For his career, the 28-year-old Williams has registered 89 defensive tackles, 33 special teams tackles, five quarterback sacks and one interception in 60 regular season games.

Bartel will be entering his third CFL season after joining the Tiger-Cats ahead of the 2012 season. The Australian born kicker has appeared in 36 career regular season games punting 229 times for 9,904 yards – a 43.2 yard average.

The 27-year-old was named a 2013 East Division All-Star after punting 112 times for 4897 yards (43.7) including a 69 yard long.

The Tiger-Cats now own the 9th, 11th, 17th, 44th, 52nd, 53rd and 62nd selections in this year’s draft.