Jordan Williams (linebacker, born 1994)

Last updated

Jordan Williams
2023, 01, Jordan Williams.jpg
Williams with the Toronto Argonauts in 2023
Born: (1994-11-23) November 23, 1994 (age 29)
Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. [1]
Career information
CFL status National
Position(s) Linebacker
Height6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight230 lb (100 kg)
College East Carolina (2014–2017)
High school Dover (York, PA)

Jack Britt (Fayetteville, NC)

CFL draft 2020, Round: 1, Pick: 1
Drafted by BC Lions
Career history
As player
2021–2022 BC Lions
2023 Toronto Argonauts
2024 Hamilton Tiger-Cats*
*Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career stats

Jordan X. Williams [2] (born November 23, 1994) is an American-Canadian former professional football linebacker who played for three years in the Canadian Football League (CFL). He was drafted first overall in the 2020 CFL Draft by the BC Lions. He played college football for the East Carolina Pirates.

Contents

Early life

Because his mother was in the military, Williams moved around frequently in his youth, including Baltimore and Pennsylvania. [3] Williams was a three-year letterwinner at Jack Britt High School in Fayetteville, North Carolina. He was twice an All-Mid-South 4-A Conference selection. However, his collegiate options were limited due to academic issues. [4]

College career

Williams joined East Carolina as a preferred walk-on after transferring from Shaw University as a freshman. [5] [6] He earned a scholarship and played nine games on special teams in the 2014 season as a redshirt freshman. [4] Williams finished second in tackles with 81 as a sophomore. As a junior, he led the team in tackles with 77. [5] [4] Williams finished second on the team in tackles with 89 as a senior in 2017, including three for a loss and a forced fumble. [7] In his career, Williams started 25 of 45 games and posted 252 tackles (123 solo), 13.0 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks, two forced fumbles, three pass breakups and an interception. Williams also contributed 11 double-digit tackle performances. He earned a bachelor's degree from ECU in Health & Communications minor. [5]

Professional career

Williams with the BC Lions in 2022 2022, 21, Jordan Williams (F).jpg
Williams with the BC Lions in 2022

Early career

Williams received an invite to the San Francisco 49ers camp in 2018 but did not make the team. He continued to train and received Canadian citizenship. He nearly joined the Ottawa Redblacks out of training camp in 2019, but was convinced to enter the CFL Draft since his mother was Canadian. [6]

BC Lions

Williams was drafted first overall in the 2020 CFL Draft by the BC Lions. The number one pick was originally held by the Ottawa Redblacks, who dealt the pick the Calgary Stampeders, who subsequently traded the pick to the Lions on draft day. [8] He did not play in 2020 due to the cancellation of the 2020 CFL season and was officially signed by the Lions on May 5, 2021. [9] Williams had an outstanding 2021 season with the Lions, and set a CFL record for most defensive tackles in a season by a Canadian rookie with 92, surpassing the previous high of 75 set by Mike O'Shea in 1993. [10] Following his impressive 2021 season, Williams was named the CFL's Most Outstanding Rookie and was just the second number one draft pick to win the award. [11]

Toronto Argonauts

On February 9, 2023, it was announced that Williams had been traded to the Toronto Argonauts in exchange for a first-round pick in the 2023 CFL Draft. [12] He played in 14 regular season games in 2023, starting in 13, where he had 48 defensive tackles and four special teams tackles. [13]

Hamilton Tiger-Cats

On January 29, 2024, Williams was traded to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in an exchange of draft picks and for the negotiation rights to Deontay Burnett. [13] However, on May 8, 2024, it was announced that Williams had retired. [14]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jason Pottinger</span>

Jason Pottinger is a former professional Canadian football linebacker who played in the Canadian Football League (CFL). He was drafted second overall by the BC Lions in the 2006 CFL Draft. He played CIS football for the McMaster Marauders.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kevin Eiben</span> Canadian gridiron football player and coach (born 1979)

Kevin Eiben is a former professional Canadian football linebacker who is currently the defensive co-coordinator and linebackers coach for the Toronto Argonauts and of the Canadian Football League. He was drafted 26th overall by the Argonauts in the 2001 CFL Draft and spent the first 11 years of his playing career with the team, followed by one season with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. He played college football for the Bucknell Bison.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cory Greenwood</span> Canadian gridiron football player (born 1985)

Cory James Greenwood is a former Canadian professional football linebacker. He is a Grey Cup champion, having won the 106th Grey Cup with the Stampeders. He played college football for the Concordia Stingers from 2006 to 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boseko Lokombo</span> American football player (born 1990)

Boseko Lokombo is a Congolese-Canadian professional Canadian football linebacker for the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at Oregon. Lokombo has also been a member of the Montreal Alouettes and Toronto Argonauts of the CFL, and the Baltimore Ravens, Oakland Raiders and San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shawn Lemon</span> American gridiron football player (born 1988)

Shawn Lemon is an American professional football defensive lineman for the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at Akron. He has been a member of eight CFL teams, three indoor football teams and two NFL teams.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Davon Coleman</span> American gridiron football player (born 1991)

Davon Coleman is an American gridiron football defensive tackle who is a free agent. He most recently played for the Ottawa Redblacks of the Canadian Football League (CFL). In college, he first enrolled at Fort Scott Community College before transferring to Arizona State University. He has also been a member of four National Football League (NFL) teams and three other CFL teams.

Adrian Clarke is a professional Canadian football linebacker who is a free agent. He attended Bishop's University.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kevin Francis (Canadian football)</span> Canadian gridiron football player (born 1993)

Kevin Francis is a Canadian professional football linebacker for the Ottawa Redblacks of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played as a tight end during his college football career with the North Carolina A&T Aggies. Francis has also been a member of the Saskatchewan Roughriders, BC Lions, and Edmonton Elks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Micah Awe</span> American gridiron football player (born 1994)

Micah Awe is a Nigerian professional Canadian football linebacker for the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at Texas Tech. Awe has also been a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, BC Lions, New York Jets, Toronto Argonauts, Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Ottawa Redblacks, BC Lions, and Montreal Alouettes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cameron Walker (Canadian football)</span> Professional Canadian football defensive lineman

Cameron Walker is a professional Canadian football defensive lineman who is currently a free agent. He was most recently a member of the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played CIS football for the Guelph Gryphons. Walker has also been a member of the Toronto Argonauts, Hamilton Tiger-Cats, and Ottawa Redblacks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jordan Herdman-Reed</span> Canadian gridiron football player (born 1994)

Jordan Herdman-Reed is a Canadian professional football linebacker for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football with the Simon Fraser Clan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Ackie</span> Professional Canadian football linebacker

Chris Ackie is a former professional Canadian football linebacker. Ackie spent the majority of his professional career playing for the Montreal Alouettes Canadian Football League (CFL). He played CIS football for the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks from 2011 to 2014. He was drafted fourth overall by the Montreal Alouettes in the 2015 CFL Draft. Ackie was also a member of the New York Giants, Ottawa Redblacks and Toronto Argonauts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jackson Bennett</span> Professional Canadian football running back

Jackson Bennett is a Canadian former professional football running back who played for five seasons in the Canadian Football League (CFL) for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Ottawa Redblacks. He played U Sports football with the Ottawa Gee-Gees from 2014 to 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2021 Toronto Argonauts season</span> CFL team season

The 2021 Toronto Argonauts season was the 63rd season for the team in the Canadian Football League and their 148th year of existence. The Argonauts improved on their 4–14 record from their previous season in 2019 with a win in week 10 against the Ottawa Redblacks on October 6, 2021. The team qualified for the playoffs for the first time since 2017, on October 30, 2021, with a win over the BC Lions. The Argonauts then clinched first place in the East Division after defeating the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on November 12, 2021. However, the Argonauts lost to the same Tiger-Cats in the East Final after holding a 12–0 halftime lead, but were unable to score a touchdown and lost 27–19.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brandon Calver</span> Canadian gridiron football player (born 1993)

Brandon Calver is a Canadian professional football linebacker for the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League (CFL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brian Harelimana</span> Canadian gridiron football player (born 1995)

Brian Harelimana is a Rwandan-Canadian professional football linebacker for the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played U Sports football for the Montreal Carabins and was a fourth round draft pick by the Montreal Alouettes in 2020.

The 2023 CFL National Draft was a selection of National players by Canadian Football League teams that took place on May 2, 2023, at 8:00 pm ET. 72 players were chosen from among eligible players from Canadian Universities across the country, as well as Canadian players playing in the NCAA and NAIA.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ben Hladik</span> Canadian gridiron football player (born 1999)

Ben Hladik is a Canadian professional football linebacker for the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League (CFL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brad Cowan</span> Canadian gridiron football player (born 1998)

Brad Cowan is a Canadian football linebacker who is a free agent. He most recently played for the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League (CFL).

The 2024 CFL draft was a selection of National players by Canadian Football League teams that took place on April 30, 2024 at 8:00 pm ET. 74 players were chosen from among eligible players from Canadian Universities across the country, as well as Canadian players playing in the NCAA and NAIA.

References

  1. ↑ Baker, Matt (May 1, 2020). "Draft recap: Stocking the cupboards". BC Lions . Retrieved May 2, 2020.
  2. ↑ "Toronto Argonauts sign Jordan Williams (no, not that one… or the other one)". 3DownNation.com. January 24, 2024. Retrieved January 24, 2024.
  3. ↑ Adams, J.J. (May 1, 2020). "B.C. Lions: Sitting out might have supercharged Jordan Williams' football career". The Province. Retrieved May 2, 2020.
  4. 1 2 3 Batten, Sammy (August 28, 2017). "Jack Britt grad Jordan Williams in new role as ECU's defensive voice". Fayetteville Observer . Retrieved May 2, 2020.
  5. 1 2 3 Bailey, Brian (April 30, 2020). "Former Pirate Jordan Williams selected 1st overall in CFL Draft". WNCT. Retrieved May 2, 2020.
  6. 1 2 Igoe, Stephen (April 30, 2020). "Former ECU LB Jordan Williams taken first overall in CFL Draft". 247 Sports. Retrieved May 2, 2020.
  7. ↑ Ralph, Dan (March 13, 2020). "Linebacker Jordan Williams feels fortunate to take part in final CFL combine". North Shore News. Retrieved May 2, 2020.
  8. ↑ Reineking, Jim (April 30, 2020). "2020 CFL draft: East Carolina LB Jordan Williams selected by BC Lions with No. 1 pick". USA Today . Retrieved May 2, 2020.
  9. ↑ Baker, Matt (May 5, 2021). "Lions sign 2020 1st overall pick Jordan Williams". BC Lions . Retrieved May 5, 2021.
  10. ↑ "B.C. Lions Jordan Williams sets single-season record for tackles by Canadian rookie - TSN.ca". TSN. The Canadian Press. November 10, 2021. Retrieved November 10, 2021.
  11. ↑ "Recap: Bombers names laced through CFL Awards". Canadian Football League. December 13, 2021.
  12. ↑ "Argos acquire 2020 first overall pick LB Jordan Williams in trade with Lions". Toronto Argonauts. February 9, 2023.
  13. 1 2 "Ticats acquire national LB Jordan Williams in trade with Argos". Canadian Football League. January 29, 2024.
  14. ↑ "Ticats announce retirement of LB Jordan Williams, sign 7 from 2 draft". Canadian Football League. May 8, 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.