Isaiah Williams (wide receiver, born 1987)

Isaiah Williams (born January 30, 1987) is a former American football wide receiver. He played college football at the University of Maryland. He was signed by Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent in 2009.

For other people named Isaiah Williams, see Isaiah Williams (disambiguation).
Isaiah Williams
No. 84, 11
Position:Wide receiver
Personal information
Born: (1987-01-30) January 30, 1987
Montclair, New Jersey, U.S.
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:201 lb (91 kg)
Career information
High school:Bergen Catholic
(Oradell, New Jersey)
College:Maryland
Undrafted:2009
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career NFL statistics
Player stats at NFL.com · CFL.ca (archive)

Early years

Williams was born on January 30, 1987, in Montclair, New Jersey, to parents Ira and Rita Williams. His father played football at Rutgers and his brother, Ira, Jr., played at Wake Forest from 1998 to 2001. His twin sister, Tahirah, played basketball as a guard at Connecticut She was a senior on the 2008–09 Connecticut Huskies women's basketball team that went undefeated and won the National Championship.[1]

Williams attended Bergen Catholic High School where he played football for two years and ran track for three.[2] As a junior, he recorded 11 receptions for 229 yards and three touchdowns. As a senior in 2004, he set the single-season school records for 45 receptions, 897 receiving yards, and 12 touchdowns. On special teams, he returned nine kickoffs for 308 yards. He was named an Associated Press second-team all-state, Newark Star Ledger second-team all-state, first-team all-group, All-North Jersey, and all-county player. He was also named a PrepStar All-East region and SuperPrep All-Northeast player. Williams was recruited by Maryland, Syracuse, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.[1] He chose to attend Maryland, due to a desire to play in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), stay close to home, and the Terrapins' three winning seasons from 2001 to 2003.[3]

College career

At Maryland, Williams majored in American Studies.[1] As a true freshman in 2005, he played in four games and recorded one reception for four yards. The following season, he saw action in all 13 games including 11 starts. He finished as the team's fourth-leading receiver with 28 receptions and three touchdowns.[1] For the 2007 season, he was replaced at the X receiver position by sophomore Darrius Heyward-Bey. Williams was moved to Z receiver where he shared playing time with redshirt freshman LaQuan Williams.[1] Wide receivers coach Bryan Bossard said, "Isaiah Williams is more talented than Darrius Heyward-Bey ... I've told him that; I've told Darrius that—talking about God-given ability, running, catching the ball, speed, height. Darrius just outworks him, and that's why he's had all the success he's had."[4] That year, Williams played in all 13 games, including six starts and recorded 395 receiving yards to finish second on the team.[1] In 2008, Williams again played in 13 games with six starts. He recorded six receptions, including a 43-yard touchdown from receiver Danny Oquendo on a trick play against Eastern Michigan.[1]

Professional career

Baltimore Ravens

Williams was not selected in the 2009 NFL Draft, but was signed as an undrafted free agent soon after by the Baltimore Ravens.[5] At the University of Maryland Pro Day on March 11, 2009, Williams posted impressive numbers with a 40-yard dash time of 4.38 seconds, a 60-yard shuttle time of 11.10 seconds, a 20-yard shuttle time of 4.24 seconds, and a vertical jump of 41 inches.[6] On July 28, 2009, the Ravens released him.

Pittsburgh Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers signed Williams as a free agent on May 11, 2010, to fill in for wide receiver Limas Sweed who was placed on injured reserve.[7] Williams was released by the Steelers on August 23, 2010.[8]

Arizona Cardinals

The Arizona Cardinals signed Williams as a free agent on August 30, 2010.[9] He was released in the final preseason cuts,[10] but subsequently signed to the practice squad.[11] Williams caught a game-winning touchdown in a preseason game against the Oakland Raiders on August 11, 2011.[12] He was released on September 2, but again signed to the team's practice squad. On November 15, 2011, Williams was released from the team.

Seattle Seahawks

Williams was signed to the practice squad of the Seattle Seahawks on November 22, 2011. He was released on January 9, 2012.

Second Stint with Cardinals

Williams re-signed with the Arizona Cardinals on January 10, 2012.

Oakland Raiders

Williams signed a future contract with the Oakland Raiders on January 3, 2013. On August 25, 2013, he was waived by the Raiders.[13]

Tennessee Titans

Williams signed a future contract with the Tennessee Titans on January 8, 2014.[14] The Titans waived Williams on August 26, 2014.[15]

References
  1. Player Bio: Isaiah Williams Archived 2012-08-21 at the Wayback Machine, University of Maryland, retrieved April 28, 2009.
  2. Fulkerson, Vickie. "Huskies have a fan in Williams", The Day (New London), November 24, 2007. Accessed February 17, 2011. "Isaiah went to Bergen Catholic High School, while Tahirah, a 6-foot guard, went to nearby Immaculate Heart Academy, an all-girls school."
  3. Isaiah Williams Interview Archived 2010-01-16 at the Wayback Machine, NFL Draft Blitz, November 17, 2008.
  4. Switch fits Terps' Williams to a Z, The Washington Times, August 20, 2007.
  5. Two more Terps ink deals Archived 2009-05-04 at the Wayback Machine, The Washington Times, April 27, 2009.
  6. Terps Work Out Wednesday for Pro Football Scouts Archived 2012-03-03 at the Wayback Machine,
  7. Steelers WR Sweed placed on IR, The Miami Herald, May 11, 2010.
  8. Steelers re-sign Matt Stewart, cut Isaiah Williams Archived 2010-08-24 at the Wayback Machine, National Football Post, August 23, 2010.
  9. Cardinals make move for a fullback Archived 2010-09-02 at the Wayback Machine, National Football Post, August 30, 2010.
  10. Weekend NFL Transactions Archived 2010-09-10 at the Wayback Machine, The Daily News, September 6, 2010.
  11. Cardinals cut CB Green, two others, claim three off waivers, TSN, September 6, 2010.
  12. "Arizona Cardinals win preseason opener". Arizona Daily Star. Retrieved 12 August 2011.
  13. Tafur, Vic (August 25, 2013). "Raiders facing big questions". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
  14. "Titans Sign Linebacker, Pair of Receivers to Futures Contracts". TitansOnline.com. Retrieved 27 March 2014.
  15. Titans Reach 75-Player Roster Limit
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