Quick Facts
Biography
Deon L. Lacey (born July 18, 1990) is a gridiron football linebacker for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at the University of West Alabama. He has also been a member of the Dallas Cowboys, Edmonton Eskimos, Buffalo Bills, and Miami Dolphins.
Early years
Lacey was born on July 18, 1990 in Indianapolis, Indiana. He lettered in football and track and field at Hueytown High School in Hueytown, Alabama. He was named All-state, Super All-Metro, Old Spice Player of the Year, and Defensive Player of the Year while playing for the Golden Gophers football team. He also set the school record in the 400 metres with a time of 52.57.
College career
Lacey played football for the West Alabama Tigers from 2008 to 2012. He was named the Gulf South Conference Defensive Player of the Year in 2011, recording 97 tackles, nine tackles for loss, four sacks, two interceptions, four pass deflections, and a fumble recovery. He finished his college career with 267 tackles, nine sacks, six forced fumbles and five interceptions.
Professional career
Dallas Cowboys
Lacey was signed by the Dallas Cowboys of the NFL on April 28, 2013 after going undrafted in the 2013 NFL Draft. Lacey played in three preseason games for the Cowboys, contributing with five tackles. He was released by the Cowboys on August 27, 2013.
Edmonton Eskimos
He signed with the CFL's Edmonton Eskimos on February 26, 2014. Lacey made an immediate impact with the Eskimos on special teams and increasingly became an important member of their starting defensive unit. In three years with the Eskimos, Lacey played in all 54 games, racking up 144 defensive tackles, 68 special teams tackles, 7 sacks, 3 interceptions, 4 forced fumbles and 1 touchdown.
In December 2016, Lacey had workouts with various NFL teams, including; the Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots, Detroit Lions, Denver Broncos, Green Bay Packers, Kansas City Chiefs, and Cincinnati Bengals. On January 3, 2017 the Eskimos granted Lacey an early release so he would be eligible to sign with an NFL team.
Miami Dolphins
On January 10, 2017, Lacey signed a reserve/future contract with the Miami Dolphins. He was waived on September 2, 2017.
Buffalo Bills
On September 3, 2017, Lacey was claimed off waivers by the Buffalo Bills. He was waived by the Bills on October 18, 2017, but was re-signed the next day. He finished the 2017 season having contributed nine tackles. In the following off-season, on February 20, 2019, Lacey signed a one-year contract extension with the Bills. Lacey appeared in all four preseason games in 2019, and totaled 18 tackles. He was released during final roster cuts on August 31, 2019.
Miami Dolphins
On September 1, 2019, Lacey was claimed off waivers by the Miami Dolphins.
Saskatchewan Roughriders
Lacey signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the CFL on May 21, 2020.