Raequan Williams

Last updated

Raequan Williams
Raequan Williams (50805329251) (cropped).jpg
Williams with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2021
Personal information
Born: (1997-02-14) February 14, 1997 (age 27)
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Height:6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight:305 lb (138 kg)
Career information
High school: DePaul College Prep
College: Michigan State (2015–2019)
Position: Defensive end
Undrafted: 2020
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of 2024
Total tackles:7
Sacks:1.0
Player stats at PFR

Raequan Williams (born February 14, 1997) is an American football defensive end who is a free agent. He played college football at Michigan State.

Contents

Early years

Williams grew up in Lawndale and East Garfield Park, two of the most crime-ridden neighborhoods in Chicago. In sixth grade, he joined the Garfield Gators youth football team. Williams became a national all-star in eighth grade. Williams attended DePaul College Prep, formerly known as Gordon Tech, where he played basketball and football. He was named captain of the basketball team as a sophomore, coached by Tom Kleinschmidt. [1] As a senior on the football team, he was named first-team all-state after recording 74 tackles, eight sacks, nine pass breakups and three forced fumbles. [2] Williams was a four-star recruit ranked the No. 19 tackle in the nation according to 247Sports.com, and he signed with Michigan State in December 2014 after considering offers from Oregon, Arizona, Missouri, and Penn State, among others. [3] Williams chose the Spartans after hearing fond memories from trusted adults who attended the university. [4]

College career

At Michigan State, Williams redshirted his freshman season. He started two games at nose tackle as a redshirt freshman. As a sophomore in 2017, Williams was named honorable mention All-Big Ten Conference and earned Michigan State's Iron Man award for strength and conditioning. [1] He finished with 31 tackles, six tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. As a junior, he was a first-team All-Big Ten honoree after tallying 53 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss and two sacks. Despite being considered a potential NFL draft early entrant, Williams told coach Mark Dantonio he was returning for his senior season to improve as a pass rusher and earn his degree. [4] Coming into his senior season, Williams was on the watchlist for the Outland Trophy. [5] He earned second-team All-Big Ten honors as a senior in 2019. [4] Williams recorded 48 tackles including 7.5 for loss, 5.0 sacks and one forced fumble. [6] He participated in the East-West Shrine Bowl following the season. [4] Williams made 42 consecutive starts at defensive tackle, which he considers one of his favorite achievements. [7] He finished his career with 160 tackles, 29 for loss, and 11.5 sacks in his career. [8]

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 4 in
(1.93 m)		308 lb
(140 kg)		33+3⁄8 in
(0.85 m)		9+3⁄8 in
(0.24 m)		5.04 s1.78 s2.96 s4.78 s7.72 s25.5 in
(0.65 m)		8 ft 5 in
(2.57 m)		17 reps
All values from NFL Combine [9] [10]

Philadelphia Eagles

After going undrafted in the 2020 NFL Draft, Williams signed an undrafted free agent deal with the Philadelphia Eagles. [11] He was waived on September 5, 2020, [12] and re-signed to the team's practice squad the next day. [13] He was elevated to the active roster on October 31 and December 5 for the team's weeks 8 and 13 games against the Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers, and reverted to the practice squad after each game. [14] [15] He made his NFL debut in the Cowboys game. [16] On December 9, 2020, Williams was promoted to the active roster. [17] In Week 17 against the Washington Football Team on Sunday Night Football , Williams recorded his first career sack on Alex Smith during the 20–14 loss. [18]

On August 31, 2021, Williams was waived by the Eagles and re-signed to the practice squad the next day. [19] [20]

Jacksonville Jaguars

On February 2, 2022, Williams signed a reserve/future contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars. [21] He was waived on August 30, 2022. [22]

Carolina Panthers

On October 18, 2022, Williams was signed to the Carolina Panthers practice squad. [23] He signed a reserve/future contract on January 9, 2023. [24] On August 29, 2023, he was waived for final roster cuts, but signed to the Panthers' practice squad the following day. [25] [26] He signed a reserve/future contract on January 8, 2024. [27] On May 10, 2024, Williams was waived for offseason roster cuts. [28]

Personal life

Williams's mother Latasha Williams gave birth to him at the age of 14. [7] [1] He was also raised by Mackenzie Hyde, his third grade teacher whom he considers a godmother. On January 13, 2016, his cousin Antonio Pollards was murdered in a drive-by shooting on the way to school. Williams's brother Corey Hill was killed in a similar drive-by shooting on June 7, 2017. Neither murder has been solved. [1]

Related Research Articles

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

Elijah Qualls is an American football nose tackle who is a free agent. He played college football at the University of Washington.

Bruce Hector is an American football defensive tackle for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at South Florida and signed with the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent in 2018.

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

Frankie Luvu is an American football linebacker for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL). A native of American Samoa, he played college football at Washington State before signing with the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent in 2018. Luvu became a fulltime starter upon joining the Carolina Panthers in 2021.

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

Taylor Joseph Stallworth is an American football defensive end who is a free agent. He played college football at South Carolina and was signed by the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent in 2018. He has played in the NFL for the Saints, Indianapolis Colts, Kansas City Chiefs, and Houston Texans.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brett Toth</span> American football player and United States army officer (born 1996)

Brett Toth is an American football offensive tackle for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL). Prior to joining the NFL, he attended and graduated from the United States Military Academy as a second lieutenant in the US Army, where he also played for the Army Black Knights football team. Toth deferred his service to play in the NFL, where he signed as an undrafted free agent with the Eagles in 2019. He has been a member of the Arizona Cardinals and was a ROTC instructor at Arizona State University; he currently serves in a similar role at Temple University.

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

Nathan Malik Meadors is an American football safety for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at UCLA.

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

Josh Watson is an American football linebacker who is a free agent. He played college football at Colorado State.

Davion Taylor is an American football linebacker who is a free agent. He played college football at Colorado and was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

Josiah Scott is an American football cornerback for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Michigan State and was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL draft.

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

Nicholas-Devon L Thurman is an American football defensive end for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for Houston.

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

Padriac William Fisher is an American football linebacker who is a free agent. He played college football for the Northwestern Wildcats.

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

Grayland Arnold Jr. is an American football safety who is a free agent. He played college football at Baylor.

Adrian Killins Jr. is an American football running back. He played college football at UCF. He played for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL) and Arlington Renegades of the XFL.

Michael Jacquet III is an American football cornerback who is a free agent. He was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent in 2020 following his college football career with the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns.

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

Joe Bachie is an American football linebacker for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Michigan State. He has also played for the New Orleans Saints and the Philadelphia Eagles.

Chris Westry is an American football cornerback who is a free agent. He played college football at the University of Kentucky.

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

Dicaprio Bootle is an American football cornerback for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Nebraska.

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

Badara Traore is an American football offensive tackle for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at LSU.

Franklin "Mac" McCain III is an American football cornerback who is a free agent. He played college football for North Carolina A&T and was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Denver Broncos in 2021.

Arron Mosby is an American football defensive end for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Fresno State and was signed by the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent in 2022.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Seidel, Jeff (April 26, 2018). "Michigan State's Raequan Williams won't let brothers' murders stop him". Detroit Free Press . Retrieved April 28, 2020.
  2. ↑ "Four-star defensive tackle picks MSU". The Detroit News . December 19, 2014. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
  3. ↑ Rexrode, Joe (December 19, 2014). "MSU lands 4-star defensive tackle from Chicago". Detroit Free Press . Retrieved April 28, 2020.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Chadiha, Jeffri (February 20, 2020). "Murders of family members haven't defeated Raequan Williams". NFL.com. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
  5. ↑ Charboneau, Matt (July 29, 2019). "Life in Chicago teaches Raequan Williams discipline as Michigan State's run-stuffer". The Detroit News . Retrieved April 28, 2020.
  6. ↑ DaSilva, Cameron (March 26, 2020). "Rams had FaceTime meeting with Michigan State DL Raequan Williams". Rams Wire. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
  7. 1 2 Melo, Justin (April 6, 2020). "Meet Raequan Williams, Michigan State's workhorse DL prospect". Draft Wire. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
  8. ↑ McPherson, Chris (April 26, 2020). "Eagles agree to terms with 13 undrafted free agents". Philadelphia Eagles.com. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
  9. ↑ "Raequan Williams Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  10. ↑ "2020 NFL Draft Scout Raequan Williams College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  11. ↑ Wenzel, Matt (April 26, 2020). "Michigan State free agent tracker: Raequan Williams, Joe Bachie sign after going undrafted". MLive . Retrieved April 28, 2020.
  12. ↑ McPherson, Chris (September 5, 2020). "Eagles announce initial 53-man roster". PhiladelphiaEagles.com.
  13. ↑ McPherson, Chris (September 6, 2020). "Eagles announce practice squad that includes QB Josh McCown". PhiladelphiaEagles.com. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  14. ↑ McPherson, Chris (October 31, 2020). "Roster Moves: Eagles activate LB T.J. Edwards, S Rudy Ford, TE Dallas Goedert, T Jason Peters, and WR Jalen Reagor from Injured Reserve". PhiladelphiaEagles.com. Retrieved November 2, 2020.
  15. ↑ McPherson, Chris (December 5, 2020). "Eagles elevate RB Jordan Howard and DT Raequan Williams". PhiladelphiaEagles.com. Retrieved January 10, 2021.
  16. ↑ Austin, Kyle (November 3, 2020). "Spartans in the NFL: Raequan Williams makes NFL debut with Eagles". MLive.com . Retrieved November 4, 2020.
  17. ↑ McPherson, Chris (December 9, 2020). "Eagles promote DT Raequan Williams from the practice squad; place LB Davion Taylor on Injured Reserve". PhiladelphiaEagles.com.
  18. ↑ "Washington Football Team at Philadelphia Eagles - January 3rd, 2021". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
  19. ↑ McPherson, Chris (August 31, 2021). "Eagles announce initial 53-man roster". PhiladelphiaEagles.com.
  20. ↑ "Eagles agree to terms with 15 players to join the practice squad". PhiladelphiaEagles.com. September 1, 2021.
  21. ↑ "Roster moves: Jaguars sign DT Raequan Williams to Reserve/Future contract". Jaguars.com. February 2, 2022.
  22. ↑ "Roster Moves: Jaguars waive 15 from the roster". Jaguars.com. August 30, 2022.
  23. ↑ Gantt, Darin (October 18, 2022). "Panthers sign linebacker Chandler Wooten". Panthers.com.
  24. ↑ Gantt, Darin (January 9, 2023). "Panthers sign nine players on Monday". Panthers.com.
  25. ↑ Gantt, Darin (August 29, 2023). "Panthers make moves en route to 53-man roster limit". Panthers.com. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
  26. ↑ Gantt, Darin (August 30, 2023). "Panthers add 11 players to the practice squad". Panthers.com. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
  27. ↑ Gantt, Darin (January 8, 2024). "Panthers extend three, sign 11 practice squaders to future deals". Panthers.com.
  28. ↑ Gantt, Darin (May 10, 2024). "Panthers make roster moves, including signing 19 undrafted free agents". panthers.com.
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.