Williams attended Pickens County High School in Alabama. He earned All-County, All-Area and honorable mention All-State honors while playing basketball in high school.[1] While at high school, he also earned the 2007 Alabama Sports Writers Association All-State honors as a Tight end[2] on the first-team and also was selected as the ASWA Class 2A lineman of the year.[1] He was a member of The Mobile Press-Register Elite 18 while at High School.[3] He earned first-team All-State honors in his Junior season and also was an Honorable mention as a Tight end while at high school.[1]
Williams played College footballatAlabama. He finished college with a total of 51 receptions, 503 receiving yards along with seven touchdowns.[4] On January 7, 2013, he had 3 receptions, 17 receiving yards, and one receiving touchdown against Notre Dame in the 2013 BCS National Championship Game.[5] In January 2013, he was added to the Senior Bowl roster.[6]
In the 2013 NFL Draft, Williams was selected in the 7th round (211th overall) by the Detroit Lions.[7] On August 22, 2013, Williams broke his hand during a preseason game against the New England Patriots.[8] On August 31, 2013, Williams was placed on injured reserve.[9]
After the draft of tight end Eric Ebron, it was announced that Williams would be moved to offensive tackle and would wear the number 73.[10]
On August 25, 2015, the Lions traded Williams to the New England Patriots in exchange for a 2017 seventh-round draft pick.[11] Williams was assigned No. 85, indicating a return to tight end.[12]
During the 2015 season, Williams appeared in 15 regular season games (with nine starts) and caught three passes for 26 yards.[13] Williams also appeared in both of the Patriots playoff games and started in the AFC Championship Game against the Denver Broncos on January 24, 2016.[14]
On June 8, 2016, Williams suffered a torn ACL during practice.[15] On June 10, 2016, he was waived/injured by the Patriots and was reverted to injured reserve, missing the entire 2016 season. On February 5, 2017, Williams's Patriots appeared in Super Bowl LI. In the game, the Patriots defeated the Atlanta Falcons by a score of 34–28 in overtime.[16][17][18]
On March 9, 2017, Williams re-signed with the Patriots on a one-year deal.[19] On May 12, 2017, Williams was released by the Patriots.[20]
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