Antonio Williams (running back)

Antonio Williams
refer to caption
Williams in 2021
Personal information
Born: (1997-10-22) October 22, 1997 (age 27)
New London, North Carolina, U.S.
Height:5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight:215 lb (98 kg)
Career information
High school:North Stanly (New London, North Carolina)
College:
Position:Running back
Undrafted:2020
Career history
Career NFL statistics
Rushing yards:63
Rushing average:5.3
Rushing touchdowns:2
Receptions:1
Receiving yards:20
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Antonio Williams (born October 22, 1997) is an American professional football running back who is a free agent. He played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes and North Carolina.

College career

Williams began his collegiate career at Ohio State. He spent two seasons with the Buckeyes and rushed for 290 yards and three touchdowns as a sophomore while serving as the team's third running back behind J. K. Dobbins and Mike Weber.[1] Williams announced that he would be transferring to North Carolina in the spring of his sophomore year.[2]

Following his transfer, Williams was granted a hardship waiver from the NCAA and was not required to sit out his junior season.[3] He started seven games in his first season with the Tar Heels and finished as the team's second-leading rusher with 504 yards and five touchdowns.[4] As a senior, Williams split carries with Michael Carter and Javonte Williams and rushed for 322 yards and three touchdowns on 48 carries.[5]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight
5 ft 9+3⁄4 in
(1.77 m) 		215 lb
(98 kg)
Values from Pro Day[6]

Buffalo Bills

Williams was signed by the Buffalo Bills as an undrafted free agent on May 8, 2020.[7] He was waived by the Bills on August 5, but re-signed on August 30, 2020.[8] Williams was waived during final roster cuts and was signed to the team's practice squad on September 6 before again being released. Williams was again re-signed to the practice squad on September 23, 2020, and released on October 3 only to return to the unit on October 8.[9][10] He was elevated to the active roster on January 2, 2021, for the team's Week 17 game against the Miami Dolphins, and reverted to the practice squad after the game.[11] He made his NFL debut in the game, rushing for a team-high 63 yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries while catching a pass for 20 yards in a 56–26 win.[12] He was elevated again on January 15 for the team's divisional playoff game against the Baltimore Ravens, and reverted to the practice squad again following the game.[13] He signed a reserve/futures contract with the Bills on January 26, 2021.[14]

On August 31, 2021, Williams was waived by the Bills and re-signed to the practice squad the next day.[15][16]

New York Giants

On January 27, 2022, Williams signed a futures contract with the New York Giants.[17]

On September 27, 2022, Williams was waived by the Giants.[18] On September 29, he was re-signed to the practice squad.[19] He was released on October 5.[20]

On November 8, 2022, the New Orleans Saints hosted Williams for a workout, although no deal was reached.[21]

BC Lions

On February 13, 2023, Williams signed with the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League (CFL).[22] He was released by the Lions on June 27, 2023.[23]

Personal life

A NASCAR fan since his youth, Williams is an advisor to NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Joe Graf Jr.; the two befriended each other through a mutual acquaintance, and Williams joined Graf's SS-Green Light Racing team prior to the 2021 racing season.[24]

References

  1. ^ Jablonski, David (April 10, 2018). "Antonio Williams waits patiently for his chance with Buckeyes". Dayton Daily News. Retrieved January 4, 2021.
  2. ^ "UNC adding Ohio State RB Antonio Williams as transfer". ESPN.com. Associated Press. April 24, 2018. Retrieved January 4, 2021.
  3. ^ Trendel, Avery (July 27, 2018). "UNC RB Antonio Williams Cleared to Play in 2018, Will Not Have to Sit Out After Transferring From Ohio State". Chapelboro.com. Retrieved January 4, 2021.
  4. ^ Alexander, Jonathan M. (November 29, 2019). "Why Mack Brown thinks running back Antonio Williams is the MVP of this UNC team". The News & Observer. Retrieved January 4, 2021.
  5. ^ Murphy, Sean (July 17, 2020). "91 players in 91 days: Running back Antonio Williams". BuffaloRumblings.com. SB Nation. Retrieved January 4, 2021.
  6. ^ "2020 Draft Scout Antonio Williams, North Carolina NFL Draft Scout College Football Profile". draftscout.com. Retrieved September 10, 2022.
  7. ^ Wojton, Nick (May 8, 2020). "Bills sign 8 undrafted rookie free agents". Bills Wire. Retrieved January 3, 2021.
  8. ^ Talbot, Ryan (August 30, 2020). "Antonio Williams: Buffalo Bills to re-sign UDFA running back". The Post-Standard. Retrieved January 3, 2021.
  9. ^ "Bills bring back tight end Nate Becker and RB Antonio Williams to practice squad". BuffaloBills.com. September 23, 2020. Retrieved January 3, 2021.
  10. ^ Bouda, Nate (October 8, 2020). "Bills Re-Sign RB Antonio Williams To Practice Squad". NFLTradeRumors.co. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
  11. ^ "Tyler Kroft placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list + four players elevated for Bills vs. Dolphins". BuffaloBills.com. January 2, 2021. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
  12. ^ Talbot, Ryan (January 3, 2021). "Who is Antonio Williams? Bills UDFA RB scores twice in Buffalo's Week 17 win". The Post-Standard. Retrieved January 4, 2021.
  13. ^ Alper, Josh (January 15, 2021). "Bills promote Antonio Williams, Dane Jackson". ProFootballTalk. Retrieved January 19, 2021.
  14. ^ "Bills signed these 13 players to reserve/future contracts". BuffaloBills.com. January 26, 2021. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
  15. ^ "Bills release 23 players to set the initial 2021 53-man roster". BuffaloBills.com. August 31, 2021.
  16. ^ "Bills sign 15 players to the 2021 practice squad". BuffaloBills.com. September 1, 2021.
  17. ^ "Giants roster move: Former Bills running back Antonio Williams signs futures contract". Big Blue View. SB Nation. January 27, 2022.
  18. ^ Alper, Josh (September 27, 2022). "Giants waive Antonio Williams". Pro Football Talk. Retrieved September 28, 2022.
  19. ^ Ulrich, Logan (September 29, 2022). "Giants Re-Sign RB Antonio Williams To PS, Cut OT Roy Mbaeteka". NFL Trade Rumors. Retrieved September 30, 2022.
  20. ^ Salomone, Dan (October 5, 2022). "Giants sign OL Solomon Kindley to practice squad; RB Antonio Williams released". Giants.com.
  21. ^ "Former Damascus and Maryland Standout Jake Funk Released by the Saints". mocoshow.com. Retrieved June 30, 2023.
  22. ^ "Transactions – Football player trades and signings". Canadian Football League. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  23. ^ "Lions add American RB Shaun Shivers, release RB Antonio Williams". CFL.ca. June 27, 2023. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  24. ^ Utter, Jim (February 10, 2021). "NFL's Antonio Williams to invest in NASCAR driver Joe Graf Jr". Motorsport Network. Motorsport Network. Retrieved February 10, 2021.