Aaron Williams (American football)

Last updated

Aaron Williams
Aaron Williams Bills 205.JPG
Williams with the Bills in 2015
No. 23
Position: Safety
Personal information
Born: (1990-04-23) April 23, 1990 (age 34)
San Jose, California, U.S.
Height:6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:199 lb (90 kg)
Career information
High school: McNeil (Austin, Texas)
College: Texas (2008–2010)
NFL draft: 2011  / round: 2 / pick: 34
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles:257
Pass deflections:36
Interceptions:7
Forced fumbles:3
Fumble recoveries:1
Defensive touchdowns:1
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Aaron Williams (born April 23, 1990) is an American former professional football player who was a safety in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Texas Longhorns and was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the second round of the 2011 NFL draft.

Contents

Early life

Williams attended McNeil High School in Austin, Texas. He was considered the top safety recruit by Rivals.com and the second best cornerback recruit by Scout.com in 2008. [1] [2] He was selected 1st team All-State by Dave Campbell Texas Football magazine and was also named to the 2008 Parade All-American team. Williams was named an outstanding performer at the 2007 Army National Combine which led to him being selected to the 2008 U.S. Army All-American Bowl game. He was also a two-year letterman in baseball and track & field. He chose Texas over offers from Baylor and USC.

College career

As a freshman in 2008, Williams started one of 13 games at cornerback, recording 13 tackles and an interception which was returned 81 yards for a touchdown. As a sophomore in 2009, he played in 13 games, missing one due to an injury, and recorded 31 tackles, two sacks and three interceptions. As a junior in 2010, he started 11 games, missing two due to an injury, and recorded 45 tackles, one quarterback sack, and two forced fumbles.

Professional career

Williams with the Bills in 2011 Aaron Williams (American football).JPG
Williams with the Bills in 2011

Williams was selected by the Buffalo Bills as the second pick of the second round (no. 34 overall) in the 2011 NFL draft. [3]

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeight 40-yard dash 10-yard split20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
5 11+7⁄8204 lb
(93 kg)		4.55 s1.58 s2.55 s4.07 s6.72 s37+1⁄210 ft 7 in
(3.23 m)		18 reps
All values from 2011 NFL Scouting Combine. [4]

Following an up and down first two seasons at cornerback, Williams was moved to safety for the 2013 season.

On March 5, 2014, Williams signed a four-year, $26 million extension with the Bills. [5]

In 2015, Williams was injured in a Week 2 game against the New England Patriots while attempting a flying goal line tackle on Julian Edelman. He was completely motionless on the turf, and was taken off the field in an ambulance. Early reports stated he suffered a neck injury.

In 2016, during a Week 3 game against the Arizona Cardinals, Williams scored his first NFL touchdown, returning a botched field goal attempt for the score. [6] In Week 7, Williams suffered another serious neck injury after a hit by Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jarvis Landry. He was placed on injured reserve on November 1, 2016, effectively ending his season. [7]

On March 9, 2017, Williams was released by the Bills. [8]

On January 31, 2018, Williams announced his retirement from the NFL after six seasons in Buffalo. [9] [10] His retirement came after multiple head and neck injuries throughout his career, citing it was the main concern of other teams not signing him after workouts in 2017, including the Jaguars, Texans, and Chiefs.

NFL career statistics

Legend
Led the league
BoldCareer high
YearTeamGamesTacklesInterceptionsFumbles
GPGSCmbSoloAstSckTFLIntYdsTDLngPDFFFRYdsTD
2011 BUF 96322750.00100051000
2012 BUF 1110322480.00000071000
2013 BUF 14148260220.02443034111000
2014 BUF 15147651250.0212602650000
2015 BUF 3315960.0012602630000
2016 BUF 75201370.010000501531
5952257184730.057950343631531

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References

  1. ↑ Rivals.com safeties 2008 rankings
  2. ↑ Scout.com Scout.com cornerback 2008 rankings
  3. ↑ "2011 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 26, 2019.
  4. ↑ "*Aaron Williams, DS #4 CB, Texas". nfldraftscout.com. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  5. ↑ Brown, Chris (March 5, 2014). "Bills sign Aaron Williams to a multi-year extension". BuffaloBills.com. Archived from the original on March 23, 2014. Retrieved March 5, 2014.
  6. ↑ "Bills bounce back with 33-18 win over Cardinals". ESPN.com. September 25, 2016.
  7. ↑ Brown, Chris (November 1, 2016). "Bills sign Percy Harvin in effort to bolster receiver position". BuffaloBills.com. Archived from the original on July 28, 2017. Retrieved November 1, 2016.
  8. ↑ Brown, Chris (March 9, 2017). "Bills release veteran safety Aaron Williams". BuffaloBills.com. Archived from the original on March 11, 2017. Retrieved March 9, 2017.
  9. ↑ Williams, Aaron (January 31, 2018). "To Buffalo". ThePlayersTribune.com.
  10. ↑ Lewis, Edward (January 31, 2018). "Former Bills DB Aaron Williams announces retirement". NFL.com.
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