As a new era of Stampeders football approaches, a common theme for these previews will be the amount of change at every positional group.
Turning our attention to the running backs, only one tailback and one fullback are returning to the club for the 2025 campaign.
For the fifth season in a row, there will be a new coach leading the running backs with former Stamps offensive lineman Ucambre Williams taking over the role in his first pro coaching position. (Previous coaches: Andre Bolduc – 2024, J.R. Davies – 2023, T.J. Vernieri – 2022, Marc Mueller – 2021).
Coach: Ucambre Williams
Vets: William Langlais*, Dedrick Mills
Off-Season Additions: Jeshrun Antwi*
Rookies: Eno Benjamin, Tiyon Evans, Deshaun Fenwick
Departed: Kylin Hill, Ryan Leder, Peyton Logan, Ron Tiavaasue**
* Denotes Canadian
** Denotes Global
Not Your Average Run Of The Mills
Dedrick Mills will once again be at the head of controls for Calgary’s run game since he took over from Ka’Deem Carey last season.
The 28-year-old signed a contract extension in January and is the only running back returning from last year’s crop of tailbacks.
In 2024, the bruising rusher produced 923 yards on the ground, 163 yards through the air, and scored one touchdown. He went over 100 rushing yards on three occasions last season and averaged 6.4 yards per carry.
The biggest focus for Mills entering the 2025 campaign will be to stay healthy for all 18 games, something he hasn’t been able to do in his three-year tenure with Calgary.
Welcome Home, Jeshrun
It’s a homecoming for Jeshrun Antwi, who signed with the Stamps once free agency opened in February.
The Calgary native suited up for the Dinos before beginning his CFL career with the Montreal Alouettes, where he would win a Grey Cup championship in 2023. Last season, Antwi began the year with the Als before being traded to the BC Lions.
With the absence of Peyton Logan, Antwi ideally would take over his backup duties.
Welcome home, Jesh ❤️ pic.twitter.com/34JvtJUZO3
— Calgary Stampeders (@calstampeders) February 12, 2025
What To Do At Fullback?
In what is probably the most-underrated position in Canadian football, (providing blocks, opening gaps, and now scoring touchdowns à la “QB sneak” style), Calgary’s starting fullback position is arguably open for the taking.
Over the past decade, the spot has been solidly filled by the likes of Rob Cote and Charlie Power. And when Power announced his retirement at the end of 2023, it seemed likely that William Langlais would take over the responsibilities.
However, a season-ending Achilles injury suffered at last year’s camp put a pause on Langlais’ opportunity which opened a revolving door filled by rookies Lucas Robertson, Ryan Leder, and Ron Tiavaasue. As the 2025 season approaches, all three of those players are no longer with the club.
Will Langlais be healthy enough to secure the starting position this year? Or will the organization draft a potential starter with their plethora of picks?
Rookie To Watch:
Additionally, Stamps scouts have brought in three rookie running backs to compete alongside the veterans at camp.
- Eno Benjamin – Benjamin has a sample size of NFL experience under his belt. After being selected in the seventh round (222nd overall) by the Arizona Cardinals in the 2020 NFL Draft, he suited up for 19 games over the 2021 and 2022 seasons, accumulating 417 rushing yards and three touchdowns. He then spent time with the Houston Texans and New Orleans Saints.