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Antonio Williams (running back)

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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

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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

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Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight
5 ft 9+34 in
(1.77 m)
215 lb
(98 kg)
Values from Pro Day[6]

Buffalo Bills

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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

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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

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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

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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

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  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.
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