Hamilton Tiger-Cats wide receiver Chris Williams holds his award for the CFL Outstanding Rookie Thursday November 24, 2011 in Vancouver. The B.C. Lions will face the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the 99th Grey Cup CFL football final Sunday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan HaywardJonathan Hayward/The Canadian Press
Hamilton Tiger-Cats receiver Chris Williams captured the CFL's outstanding rookie award Thursday night.
Williams was honoured in voting conducted by the Football Reporters of Canada and the CFL's eight head coaches.
Edmonton Eskimos linebacker J.C. Sherritt was the other finalist.
After joining the Ticats late last season, Williams cracked the starting lineup this year and made an immediate impact. The former New Mexico State star had 70 catches for 1,064 yards and six TDs.
Sherritt had 72 tackles and three sacks with Edmonton despite missing the club's final two regular-season games with an ankle injury.