Joshua Williams (cornerback)

Last updated

Joshua Williams
Joshua Williams-Rams at Chiefs-1st Quarter (52530086222) (cropped).jpg
Williams with the Chiefs
No. 2 – Kansas City Chiefs
Position: Cornerback
Personal information
Born: (1999-10-17) October 17, 1999 (age 24)
Fayetteville, North Carolina, U.S.
Height:6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:193 lb (88 kg)
Career information
High school: Jack Britt
(Fayetteville, North Carolina)
College: Fayetteville State (2018–2021)
NFL draft: 2022  / Round: 4 / Pick: 135
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of 2023
Total tackles:58
Pass deflections:12
Interceptions:1
Player stats at NFL.com  ·  PFR

Joshua Williams (born October 17, 1999) is an American football cornerback for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Fayetteville State.

Contents

Early years

Williams grew up in Fayetteville, North Carolina and attended Jack Britt High School, where he played football and ran track. After graduating from Jack Britt, he completed a postgraduate year at Palmetto Prep in Columbia, South Carolina. [1]

College career

Williams primarily played the nickel cornerback position as a freshman at Fayetteville State University. [2] He moved to outside corner before his sophomore year and finished the season with 32 tackles, one tackle for loss, 11 passes defended, and two interceptions. [3] Williams' junior season in 2020 was canceled due to COVID-19. [4] As a senior, he had 31 tackles with nine passes defended and three interceptions, one of which he returned 32 yards for a touchdown, and was named first-team All-Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association. [1] After the conclusion of his college career, Williams played in the 2022 Senior Bowl. [5] [6] Williams participated in the 2022 NFL Combine. [7]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 2+78 in
(1.90 m)
195 lb
(88 kg)
32+78 in
(0.84 m)
9+12 in
(0.24 m)
4.53 s1.54 s2.60 s4.47 s6.95 s37.0 in
(0.94 m)
10 ft 4 in
(3.15 m)
11 reps
Sources: [8] [9]

Williams was selected in the fourth round, 135th overall, of the 2022 NFL Draft by the Kansas City Chiefs. [10] He was the first player drafted out of Fayetteville State in the regular portion of the NFL Draft. He was first to be selected in any part of the NFL Draft since Blenda Gay went in the 1973 Supplemental Draft. [11]

Williams caught his first career NFL interception in the Week 7 44–23 win over the San Francisco 49ers. [12] In the AFC Championship against the Cincinnati Bengals, Williams had an interception on Joe Burrow which helped the Chiefs preserve the lead and win 23–20 when the game was tied at 20. [13] The Chiefs reached Super Bowl LVII and defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 38–35. In the Super Bowl, Williams recorded four tackles. [14]

In 2023, Williams won his second straight Super Bowl when the Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers 25–22 in Super Bowl LVIII. [15] Williams recorded two tackles in the game. [16]

Related Research Articles

Samuel Adolphus Madison Jr. is an American football coach and former cornerback who is the cornerbacks coach and pass game specialist for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League (NFL). He previously served as the secondary/cornerbacks coach for the Kansas City Chiefs. He played college football for the Louisville Cardinals, and was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the second round of the 1997 NFL Draft. A four-time Pro Bowl selection, Madison also played for the New York Giants. He has won two Super Bowls, Super Bowl XLII as a player with the Giants and Super Bowl LIV as an assistant coach with the Chiefs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Johnson (cornerback)</span> American football player (born 1979)

Christopher Mario Johnson is a former American football cornerback in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the seventh round of the 2003 NFL Draft. He played college football at Louisville. Johnson played for the Packers for two seasons, the St. Louis Rams in 2005, the Oakland Raiders for five seasons from 2007 to 2011 and the Baltimore Ravens for one season in 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jason Verrett</span> American football player (born 1991)

Jason Verrett is an American football cornerback who is a free agent. He was selected by the San Diego Chargers in the first round of the 2014 NFL draft. He played college football at TCU.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dontae Johnson</span> American football player (born 1991)

Dontae Johnson is an American football cornerback who is a free agent. He played college football at NC State and was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the fourth round of the 2014 NFL draft. He was also a member of the Seattle Seahawks, Buffalo Bills, Arizona Cardinals, Kansas City Chiefs, and Los Angeles Chargers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marcus Peters</span> American football player (born 1993)

Marcus Peters is an American football cornerback who is a free agent. He was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs in the first round of the 2015 NFL draft and has also been a member of the Los Angeles Rams, Baltimore Ravens, and Las Vegas Raiders. He played college football at Washington.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Keith Reaser</span> American football player (born 1991)

Keith Reaser is a former American football cornerback. He was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the fifth round of the 2014 NFL Draft. He played college football at Florida Atlantic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Jones (defensive tackle, born 1994)</span> American football player (born 1994)

Christopher Deshun Jones is an American football defensive tackle for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Mississippi State Bulldogs, and was selected by the Chiefs in the second round of the 2016 NFL draft. Jones is a three-time Super Bowl champion, a five-time All-Pro member, and has been named a Pro Bowler on five occasions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ahkello Witherspoon</span> American football player (born 1995)

James Ahkello Elec Witherspoon is an American football cornerback for the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Colorado and has played in the NFL for the San Francisco 49ers and Pittsburgh Steelers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">D. J. Reed</span> American football player (born 1996)

Dennis Duane "D. J." ReedJr. is an American football cornerback for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Kansas State and was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charvarius Ward</span> American football player (born 1996)

Charvarius "Mooney" Ward is an American football cornerback for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Juan Thornhill</span> American football player (born 1995)

Juan Thornhill is an American football safety for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL). Thornhill previously played for the Kansas City Chiefs, where he won two Super Bowls. He played college football at Virginia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rashad Fenton</span> American football player (born 1997)

Rashad Fenton is an American football cornerback for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at South Carolina. He was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the sixth round of the 2019 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">L'Jarius Sneed</span> American football player (born 1997)

L'Jarius Sneed is an American football cornerback for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs and was drafted by the Chiefs in the fourth-round of the 2020 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nick Bolton</span> American football player (born 2000)

Nicholas Bolton is an American football linebacker for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Missouri, and was selected by the Chiefs in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Bolton has won two Super Bowl titles, LVII and LVIII, having been a starter in the 2022 and 2023 Chiefs teams. He also scored a defensive touchdown from a fumble recovery in the first win.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">George Karlaftis</span> Greek-born American football player (born 2001)

George Matthew Karlaftis III is a Greek professional American football defensive end for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League (NFL). He was born in Athens and grew up as a multi-sport athlete playing football, track and field, basketball, and water polo, the latter of which he played with the Greek national team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Deommodore Lenoir</span> American football player (born 1999)

Deommodore Lenoir is an American football cornerback for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Oregon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trent McDuffie</span> American football player (born 2000)

Trent McDuffie is an American football cornerback for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Washington and was drafted by the Chiefs in the first round of the 2022 NFL draft. McDuffie then became a starting corner for the Chiefs as the team won the Super Bowl of the 2022 season in his rookie season. In his second season, the Chiefs once again won the 2023 season Super Bowl with McDuffie as a starter. He was also named First-Team All Pro for his performances and had several prolific plays in the Super Bowl win.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bryan Cook (American football)</span> American football player (born 1999)

Bryan Cook is an American football safety for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Howard before transferring to Cincinnati.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jaylen Watson</span> American football player (born 1998)

Jaylen Watson is an American football cornerback for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Ventura College before transferring to the Washington State Cougars. He was selected by the Chiefs in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL Draft.

Nicholas Jones is an American football cornerback for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Ball State.

References

  1. 1 2 Holland, Monica (March 11, 2022). "Jack Britt alum Joshua Williams aims to be first Fayetteville State NFL Draftee since 1976". The Fayetteville Observer . Retrieved March 29, 2022.
  2. Fragoza, James (March 2, 2022). "Joshua Williams, Fayetteville State CB". ProFootballNetwork.com. Retrieved March 29, 2022.
  3. "Fayetteville State football's Joshua Williams, Jordan Ferguson, Jerome Bentley see NFL scouts at practices". The Fayetteville Observer . September 7, 2021. Retrieved March 29, 2022.
  4. Holland, Monica (September 1, 2021). "Fayetteville State football: Things to know heading into the season". The Fayetteville Observer . Retrieved March 29, 2022.
  5. Friedlander, Brett (February 2, 2022). "Fayetteville State corner eyes NFL at Senior Bowl". North State Journal . Retrieved March 29, 2022.
  6. Rogers, Justin (February 2, 2022). "Small school corner Joshua Williams shows toughness, speed at Senior Bowl". The Detroit News . Retrieved March 30, 2022.
  7. Portnoy, Ben (March 7, 2022). "NFL Combine gives SC State's Durant, other HBCU prospects national spotlight". The State . Retrieved March 29, 2022.
  8. "Joshua Williams Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved September 8, 2022.
  9. "2022 Draft Scout Joshua Williams, Fayetteville State NFL Draft Scout College Football Profile". draftscout.com. Retrieved September 8, 2022.
  10. Teope, Herbie (April 30, 2022). "Kansas City Chiefs pick standout HBCU cornerback Joshua Williams in NFL Draft's Round 4". The Kansas City Star . Retrieved May 1, 2022.
  11. "Fayetteville St. Players/Alumni". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved April 7, 2023.
  12. Holland, Monica (October 23, 2022). "Fayetteville State football alum Joshua Williams' 1st NFL interception huge for Chiefs". The Fayetteville Observer. Retrieved April 7, 2023.
  13. "AFC Championship – Cincinnati Bengals at Kansas City Chiefs – January 29th, 2023". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved April 7, 2023.
  14. "Super Bowl LVII – Philadelphia Eagles vs. Kansas City Chiefs – February 12th, 2023". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
  15. Maaddi, Rob (February 12, 2024). "Patrick Mahomes rallies the Chiefs to second straight Super Bowl title, 25–22 over 49ers in overtime". AP News. Retrieved February 14, 2024.
  16. "Super Bowl LVIII - San Francisco 49ers vs. Kansas City Chiefs - February 11th, 2024". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 14, 2024.