Avery Williams (running back)

Avery Williams (born July 15, 1998) is an American football running back for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Boise State.

Avery Williams
refer to caption
Williams playing for the Atlanta Falcons in 2022
No. 26 – Atlanta Falcons
Position:Running back
Personal information
Born: (1998-07-15) July 15, 1998
Pasadena, California, U.S.
Height:5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Weight:195 lb (88 kg)
Career information
High school:JSerra Catholic
(San Juan Capistrano, California)
College:Boise State (2016–2020)
NFL Draft:2021 / Round: 5 / Pick: 183
Career history
Roster status:Injured reserve
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of Week 18, 2022
Rushing yards:109
Rushing average:5.0
Receptions:13
Receiving yards:61
Return yards:1,248
Total touchdowns:1
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Early life and high school

Williams was born to Pam Veasey and Marvin Williams on July 15, 1998. He grew up in Pasadena, California and originally attended Saint Francis High School before transferring to JSerra Catholic High School before his senior year.[1] As a senior, Williams was named Trinity League co-Most Valuable Player after rushing for 1,175 yards and 14 touchdowns on offense at running back and was also an All-Area selection at defensive back. He received no scholarship offers to play college football and enrolled at Boise State after being offered to join the team as a preferred walk-on.[2]

College career

Williams joined Boise State's football team as a walk-on and redshirted his true freshman season. He was named the Special Teams Scout Team Player of the Year during his redshirt year and awarded a scholarship during fall preseason training camp in 2017.[2] Williams became the team's punt and kick returner as well as a starter at cornerback during his redshirt freshman season and finished the season with two interceptions and eight passes broken up and also returned two punts for touchdowns and was named second-team All-Mountain West Conference.[3][4]

As a redshirt sophomore, Williams recorded 49 tackles with 11 passes defended, two interceptions and three forced fumbles and returned a kickoff for a touchdown and was named honorable mention All-Mountain West.[5] He was again named honorable mention All-Mountain West after recording 39 tackles with four passes broken up and returning 22 punts for 290 yards and two touchdowns in his junior season.[6] As a senior, Williams returned 19 kickoffs for 533 yards and two touchdowns and 15 punts for 229 yards and two touchdowns, tying the NCAA Division I career record with nine return touchdowns. He was named first-team All-Mountain West and the Conference Special Teams Player of the Year as a returner and was a consensus first-team All-American selection as an all-purpose player.[7][8]

Professional career
Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span40-yard dash10-yard split20-yard split20-yard shuttleThree-cone drillVertical jumpBroad jumpBench press
5 ft 8+3⁄8 in
(1.74 m)		 187 lb
(85 kg)		 28+3⁄4 in
(0.73 m)		 9 in
(0.23 m)		4.43 s1.55 s2.57 s4.00 s6.88 s33.5 in
(0.85 m)		10 ft 1 in
(3.07 m)		19 reps
All values from Pro Day[9][10]
Williams in 2021

Williams was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the fifth round (183rd overall) of the 2021 NFL Draft.[11] He signed his four-year rookie contract with Atlanta on June 15, 2021.[12] He was the Falcons primary kick and punt returner as well as a core special teamer and gunner in 2021.

In the 2022 offseason, the Falcons moved Williams to running back, going back to his primary position in high school.[13]

On June 7, 2023, head coach Arthur Smith announced that Williams tore his ACL while participating in the Falcons' organized team activities (OTAs) and would miss the entire season.[14] He was placed on injured reserve on June 16, 2023.[15]

References
  1. Turner, Andrew (September 12, 2015). "Williams helps JSerra keep moving". Orange County Register. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  2. Rains, B.J. (September 12, 2018). "BOISE STATE GAVE AVERY WILLIAMS A CHANCE. NOW HE'S TRYING TO "GIVE THEM EVERYTHING I'VE GOT" IN RETURN". The Idaho Press-Tribune. Retrieved December 7, 2021.
  3. "How Boise State football landed returner Avery Williams". Idaho Statesman. September 8, 2017. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  4. "Avery Williams is Boise State's spark on special teams". Idaho Statesman. December 15, 2019. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  5. "Avery Williams is No. 3 on our list of Boise State's most important players". Idaho Statesman. June 20, 2019. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  6. "Offseason Outlook: Williams looking to rebound at cornerback". The Idaho Press-Tribune. May 7, 2020. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  7. "College football's top senior student-athlete plays at Boise State; Williams honored again". Idaho Statesman. December 30, 2020. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  8. "Avery Williams becomes Boise State's first consensus All-American in 9 years". Idaho Statesman. December 31, 2020.
  9. "Avery Williams Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved April 6, 2023.
  10. "2021 NFL Draft Scout Avery Williams College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved April 6, 2023.
  11. "Falcons select CB Avery Williams in fifth round of NFL Draft". Atlanta Falcons. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
  12. "Falcons Sign Five Draft Picks". Pro Football Rumors. June 15, 2021.
  13. "Falcons move Avery Williams to new position". AtlantaFalcons.com. May 26, 2022.
  14. Rothstein, Michael (June 7, 2023). "Falcons' Avery Williams likely to miss season after ACL tear". ESPN.com. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
  15. "Falcons sign three minicamp tryout players". NBCSports.com. Retrieved June 16, 2023.
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