BC Lions Sign Former Alouettes RB William Stanback
Just a week after his request was granted to be released from the Montreal Alouettes, running back William Stanback has found a new home. The BC Lions landed Stanback on a one-year contract as first reported on Tuesday by 3DownNation’s John Hodge.
Stanback has spent his entire five-year CFL career with the Montreal, rushing for 800 yards and two scores last season. During the Al's Grey Cup victory over Winnipeg, he ran for 68 yards and scored on a 32-yard run.
Before missing 13 games in 2022 due to injury, Stanback had 1,000-yard seasons in 2019 and 2021 and earned CFL All-Star honors both years. He led the league in rushing yards in 2021 with 1,176. He has compiled a total of 3,716 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns in his career, also adding 107 receptions for 1,058 yards and four scores in 62 games.
Welcome to the West Coast, William Stanback 😤 🔥#BCLions #RoarLikeNeverBefore pic.twitter.com/zRdrMvjO4L
— BC LIONS (@BCLions) February 6, 2024
The 29-year-old running back joins starting running back Taquan Mizzell after a 773-yard and three-score season by the latter. BC’s only other runner who had over 100 yards rushing for the year was quarterback Vernon Adams, who finished with 324 yards and one touchdown.
Stanback gives the Lions depth at the running back position and gives Mizzell a good one-two punch in the backfield. BC was the worst rushing offense in the CFL last season, averaging just 56.5 yards per game. This move will help the Lions’ offense evolve to a more balanced attack next year.
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Anthony Miller has been covering professional spring football since 2019 including XFL, USFL, and CFL. He was a local news reporter in Texas before transitioning to sports. Other sites he writes for includes College Football Network and NTZ Network.