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June 8, 2022

Cover Zero

You can bet your bottom dollar the Stamps will be mixing up their coverages tomorrow.

But it’s also a guarantee that No. 0 will be one of the main men leading the charge in the secondary.

Defensive back Kobe Williams, now in his sophomore season with the Red and White, is getting his second career start tomorrow against Montreal. His one and only starting assignment last year came in Week 7 on the road against the Tiger-Cats as he lined up at the field corner spot. But for this season’s opening matchup, Williams will make his home at field half.

“I’m very appreciative (of the opportunity),” said Williams after the Stamps’ day-before walkthrough. “It’s going to be an honour to come out here and represent the team. I feel like I’ll have a big role this year and play many spots on the defence and be there for my team to get to the Grey Cup. I’ve just been out here proving that every day and getting ready for game one.”

Despite the swap from cornerback to halfback, Williams is feeling prepared for the assignment.

“I’m comfortable everywhere,” offered the member of defensive backs coach Dwayne Cameron’s unit. “I think I can do it all. That was my whole objective coming into training camp this year – show I can play every position on the field and be wherever the team needs me. Wherever tomorrow puts me, I’m going to try to show out.”

The former Arizona State Sun Devil knows a tall task lies ahead in the Alouettes, but Williams is ready to go against the starting receiver set of Kaion Julien-Grant, Eugene Lewis, Hergy Mayala, Jake Weineke and Reggie White Jr.

“They have a great receiving corps that goes and gets the ball,” complimented the 23-year-old. “They’re great at contested catches. Anytime you feel like you’re in position, their guys can still make the catch, so you’ve got to finish on the ball. The have playmakers all around the field and a great quarterback so we’ve got to come ready to play.”

Williams signed with the National Football League’s Jacksonville Jaguars in 2020 before joining the Stampeders on June 11, 2021. He spent last season on the practice roster with the exception of that mid-September matchup at Tim Hortons Field, and is looking forward to helping Calgary return to its customary winning ways.

“This is only my second year here so I haven’t felt the vibe of going to the Grey Cup, but I can feel the guys around me all thinking that this group of guys and the comradery around the team is different from the year before,” revealed Williams. “We feel like we can really do it this year, but we’ve just got to take it one game at a time and love on each other.”

Training camp is done.

The pre-season is over.

Now it’s time to play for keeps.

“I’m very excited,” grinned the Long Beach, Calif., native about the CFL schedule getting going at McMahon Stadium. “Guys know I’m a chill guy on the regular and on practice days I’m just locked in, but for game day, I’m super jacked. I’m a whole different person on game days because of my love of the game and just having fun out here. Let’s just enjoy the game we’ve been playing since we were little and just enjoy the energy.”