Raequan_Williams

Raequan Williams

Raequan Williams

American football player (born 1997)

Raequan Williams (born February 14, 1997) is an American football defensive end for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Michigan State.

Quick Facts No. 92 – Carolina Panthers, Position: ...

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

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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]

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]

References

  1. [1]
    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. [2]
    "Four-star defensive tackle picks MSU". The Detroit News. December 19, 2014. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
  3. [3]
    Rexrode, Joe (December 19, 2014). "MSU lands 4-star defensive tackle from Chicago". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
  4. [4]
    Chadiha, Jeffri (February 20, 2020). "Murders of family members haven't defeated Raequan Williams". NFL.com. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
  5. [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. [6]
    DaSilva, Cameron (March 26, 2020). "Rams had FaceTime meeting with Michigan State DL Raequan Williams". Rams Wire. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
  7. [7]
    Melo, Justin (April 6, 2020). "Meet Raequan Williams, Michigan State's workhorse DL prospect". Draft Wire. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
  8. [8]
    McPherson, Chris (April 26, 2020). "Eagles agree to terms with 13 undrafted free agents". Philadelphia Eagles.com. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
  9. [9]
    "Raequan Williams Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  10. [10]
    "2020 NFL Draft Scout Raequan Williams College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  11. [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. [12]
    McPherson, Chris (September 5, 2020). "Eagles announce initial 53-man roster". PhiladelphiaEagles.com.
  13. [13]
    McPherson, Chris (September 6, 2020). "Eagles announce practice squad that includes QB Josh McCown". PhiladelphiaEagles.com. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  14. [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. [15]
    McPherson, Chris (December 5, 2020). "Eagles elevate RB Jordan Howard and DT Raequan Williams". PhiladelphiaEagles.com. Retrieved January 10, 2021.
  16. [16]
    Austin, Kyle (November 3, 2020). "Spartans in the NFL: Raequan Williams makes NFL debut with Eagles". MLive.com. Retrieved November 4, 2020.
  17. [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. [18]
    "Washington Football Team at Philadelphia Eagles - January 3rd, 2021". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
  19. [19]
    McPherson, Chris (August 31, 2021). "Eagles announce initial 53-man roster". PhiladelphiaEagles.com.
  20. [20]
    "Eagles agree to terms with 15 players to join the practice squad". PhiladelphiaEagles.com. September 1, 2021.
  21. [21]
    "Roster moves: Jaguars sign DT Raequan Williams to Reserve/Future contract". Jaguars.com. February 2, 2022.
  22. [22]
    "Roster Moves: Jaguars waive 15 from the roster". Jaguars.com. August 30, 2022.
  23. [23]
    Gantt, Darin (October 18, 2022). "Panthers sign linebacker Chandler Wooten". Panthers.com.
  24. [24]
    Gantt, Darin (January 9, 2023). "Panthers sign nine players on Monday". Panthers.com.
  25. [25]
    Gantt, Darin (August 29, 2023). "Panthers make moves en route to 53-man roster limit". Panthers.com. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
  26. [26]
    Gantt, Darin (August 30, 2023). "Panthers add 11 players to the practice squad". Panthers.com. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
  27. [27]
    Gantt, Darin (January 8, 2024). "Panthers extend three, sign 11 practice squaders to future deals". Panthers.com.
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