Brandon Williams (defensive tackle)
{{Short description|American football player (born 1989)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Brandon Williams
| image = Brandon Williams (defensive tackle).JPG
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption = Williams with the Baltimore Ravens in 2015
| current_team =
| number = 98, 66
| position = Defensive tackle
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1989|2|21|mf=y}}
| birth_place = Kirkwood, Missouri, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 1
| weight_lbs = 336
| high_school = Rockwood Summit {{nowrap|(Fenton, Missouri)}}
| college = Missouri Southern (2008–2012)
| draftyear = 2013
| draftround = 3
| draftpick = 94
| pastteams =
- Baltimore Ravens ({{NFL Year|2013}}–{{NFL Year|2021}})
- Kansas City Chiefs ({{NFL Year|2022}})
| status =
| highlights =
- Super Bowl champion (LVII)
- Pro Bowl (2018)
- MIAA Defensive Player of the Year (2012)
- First-team All-MIAA (2011, 2012)
| statseason =
| statweek =
| statlabel1 = Total tackles
| statvalue1 = 325
| statlabel2 = Sacks
| statvalue2 = 7.0
| statlabel3 = Forced fumbles
| statvalue3 = 2
| statlabel4 = Fumble recoveries
| statvalue4 = 5
| statlabel5 = Pass deflections
| statvalue5 = 11
| statlabel6 = Defensive touchdowns
| statvalue6 = 1
| pfr = W/WillBr02
}}
Brandon James Williams (born February 21, 1989) is an American former professional football player who was a defensive tackle for nine seasons with the Baltimore Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Missouri Southern Lions and was selected by the Ravens in the third round of the 2013 NFL draft. Williams spent his first eight seasons with Baltimore before joining the Kansas City Chiefs in his last season, when they won Super Bowl LVII.
Early life
Williams was born in Kirkwood, Missouri, on February 21, 1989. He attended Stanton Elementary, Rockwood South Middle School (where he took 3 years of vocal music classes with Ms. Lora Springer (Pemberton), and Rockwood Summit High School in Fenton, Missouri, and played high school football for the Rockwood Summit Falcons. He was an all-conference and all-state selection for Rockwood Summit at defensive tackle, and led the Falcons with 99 tackles and seven sacks in 2006. He was also a team captain and was recognized as the Suburban South Defensive Player of the Year. He transferred to Harmony Prep School in Cincinnati, Ohio, for his senior year.
College career
Williams attended Missouri Southern State University, where he played for the Missouri Southern State Lions football team from 2008 to 2012. He was a major contributor as a freshman finishing eighth on the team in tackles with 38, including three for loss and 1.5 sacks. After a medical redshirt in 2009 due to a back injury,{{Cite web |url=http://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/article-1/Brandon-Williams-Humble-Roots-Potty-Training-Ground/c282aa54-787b-4c49-ae9c-ab1d436d6d09 |title=Brandon Williams' Humble Roots, Potty Training Ground |access-date=October 9, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010005819/http://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/article-1/Brandon-Williams-Humble-Roots-Potty-Training-Ground/c282aa54-787b-4c49-ae9c-ab1d436d6d09 |archive-date=October 10, 2017 |url-status=dead }} he returned the following year in 2010 and led the Lions with nine sacks and 17.5 tackles for loss and was named to three-different All-American teams. As a junior in 2011, he was a unanimous All-Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) selection after finishing the season third in the MIAA in sacks with eight, while ranking second in the conference in tackles for loss with 16. In 2012, as a senior, he was named the MIAA Defensive Player of the Year.{{Cite web|url=http://www.themiaa.com/news/2012/11/13/FB_1113125522.aspx|title=ALL-MIAA FOOTBALL TEAM ANNOUNCED|website=Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association|language=en|access-date=December 23, 2019}} Williams became the all-time sacks leader for the school and finished with 27 in his career. He finished the season second on the team with 68 tackles, 31 solo, including 16.5 for a loss. He had 8.5 sacks, two pass break ups, eight quarterback hurries, five forced fumbles, and one safety on the season and finished third in the MIAA in sacks and tackles for a loss, while ranking second in forced fumbles.
Professional career
{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 6
| height in = 1 1/4
| weight = 335
| dash = 5.37
| ten split = 1.86
| twenty split = 3.09
| shuttle = 4.91
| cone drill = 8.09
| vertical = 29.5
| broad ft = 8
| broad in = 6
| bench = 38
| wonderlic =
| arm span = 32 5/8
| hand span = 9 3/4
| note = All values from NFL Combine{{Cite web |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/brandon-williams/32005749-4c15-6757-b4c6-59a7546684cb |title=Brandon Williams Draft and Combine Prospect Profile |website=NFL.com |access-date=June 7, 2024}}{{Cite web |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=97516&DraftYear=2013 |title=Brandon Williams College Football Profile |website=DraftScout.com |access-date=June 7, 2024}}
}}
=Baltimore Ravens=
Williams was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the third round, with the 94th overall pick, of the 2013 NFL draft.{{Cite web |date=April 26, 2013 |title=Ravens select DT Brandon Williams out of Missouri Southern State in 3... |url=http://www.timescolonist.com/sports/ravens-select-dt-brandon-williams-out-of-missouri-southern-state-in-3rd-round-of-nfl-draft-1.140435 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130630104340/http://www.timescolonist.com/sports/ravens-select-dt-brandon-williams-out-of-missouri-southern-state-in-3rd-round-of-nfl-draft-1.140435 |archive-date=June 30, 2013 |website=Times Colonist |agency=Associated Press}} Williams became the first Missouri Southern State player to be drafted since Allen Barbre was selected by the Green Bay Packers in 2007. Williams made his NFL debut on September 29, 2013, recording a fumble recovery and logging 20 snaps against the Buffalo Bills.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201309290buf.htm|title=Baltimore Ravens at Buffalo Bills - September 29th, 2013|website=Pro Football Reference|language=en|access-date=December 23, 2019}} The next week he recorded his first tackle & tackle for loss against the Miami Dolphins.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201310060mia.htm|title=Baltimore Ravens at Miami Dolphins - October 6th, 2013|website=Pro Football Reference|language=en|access-date=December 23, 2019}} He would record his first career sack against the Pittsburgh Steelers.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201310200pit.htm|title=Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers - October 20th, 2013|website=Pro Football Reference|language=en|access-date=December 23, 2019}} Williams played in seven games with six tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack, and one fumble recovery.
Williams made his first-career start against the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2014 season opener, recording two tackles.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201409070rav.htm|title=Cincinnati Bengals at Baltimore Ravens - September 7th, 2014|website=Pro Football Reference|language=en|access-date=December 23, 2019}} On September 28, 2014, Williams recorded his first-career forced fumble against the Carolina Panthers, stripping running back Tauren Poole and recovering the fumble afterward.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201409280rav.htm|title=Carolina Panthers at Baltimore Ravens - September 28th, 2014|website=Pro Football Reference|language=en|access-date=December 23, 2019}} On October 26, he recorded a season-high 6 tackles against the Cincinnati Bengals.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201410260cin.htm|title=Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati Bengals - October 26th, 2014|website=Pro Football Reference|language=en|access-date=December 23, 2019}} Williams played all 16 games starting 14 of them with 54 tackles a half-sack, 1 forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. On January 3, 2015, Williams made his playoff debut against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Wild Card round, logging a sack, 6 tackles, and a tackle for loss.{{Cite web|url=https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/2015/1/3/7489161/ravens-steelers-final-score-baltimore-advances-to-divisional-round|title=Ravens-Steelers final score: Baltimore advances to Divisional Round with 30-17 win|last=Butt|first=Jason|date=January 3, 2015|website=Baltimore Beatdown|language=en|access-date=December 23, 2019}}
In Week 2, Williams recorded his first-career pass breakup against the Oakland Raiders.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201509200rai.htm|title=Baltimore Ravens at Oakland Raiders - September 20th, 2015|website=Pro Football Reference|language=en|access-date=December 23, 2019}} In Week 3, he registered a career-highs in tackles and tackles (8) for loss (2) against the Cincinnati Bengals.{{Cite web|url=https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/2015/9/28/9406433/baltimore-ravens-winners-and-losers-in-week-4|title=Baltimore Ravens Winners And Losers In Week 3|last=Odeniran|first=Wola|date=September 28, 2015|website=Baltimore Beatdown|language=en|access-date=December 23, 2019}} In Week 5, he made his second-career sack against the Cleveland Browns.{{Cite web|url=https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/2015/10/14/9510399/ravens-browns-final-score-defensive-report-card|title=Baltimore Ravens Defensive Report Card In Week 5|last=Odeniran|first=Wola|date=October 14, 2015|website=Baltimore Beatdown|language=en|access-date=December 23, 2019}} In Week 10, Williams documented his third-career sack against the Jacksonville Jaguars.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201511150rav.htm|title=Jacksonville Jaguars at Baltimore Ravens - November 15th, 2015|website=Pro Football Reference|language=en|access-date=December 23, 2019}} In Week 11, he recorded his second-career forced fumble against the St. Louis Rams.{{Cite web|url=https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/2015/11/22/9779202/rams-ravens-final-score-defensive-report-card|title=Defensive report card from Ravens' win over Rams|last=Barber|first=Kyle P.|date=November 22, 2015|website=Baltimore Beatdown|language=en|access-date=December 23, 2019}} Williams started all 16 games with 53 tackles, 9 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 4 quarterback hits, 2 passes defended, and a forced fumble.
In Week 7, Williams recorded his fourth sack and blocked a field goal against the New York Jets.{{Cite web|url=https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/2016/10/23/13373662/ravens-vs-jets-final-almost-everybody-is-a-loser|title=Ravens Vs. Jets Final: Almost everybody is a loser|last=Barber|first=Kyle P.|date=October 23, 2016|website=Baltimore Beatdown|language=en|access-date=December 23, 2019}} In 2016, he again started all 16 games with 51 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, a sack, 2 quarterback hits, and a pass defended.
On March 9, 2017, Williams signed a five-year, $54 million contract extension with the Ravens.{{cite web|title=Ravens agree with Brandon Williams on $54M contract|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/ravens-agree-with-brandon-williams-on-54m-contract-0ap3000000792106|author=Sessler, Marc|website=NFL.com|date=March 9, 2017}} In Week 8, Williams recorded a career-high three tackles for loss against the Miami Dolphins.{{Cite web|url=https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/2017/10/26/16555986/1-mvp-35-winners-1-loser-from-the-ravens-40-0-win-over-the-dolphins-alex-collins-cj-mosley|title=1 MVP, 35 Winners, 1 Loser from the Ravens 40-0 win over the Dolphins|last=Cohen|first=Matthew|date=October 26, 2017|website=Baltimore Beatdown|language=en|access-date=December 23, 2019}} In Week 15, Williams scored his first touchdown off of a fumble recovery against the Cleveland Browns.{{Cite web|url=https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/2017/12/17/16787772/ravens-vs-browns-mvp-10-winners-3-losers-joe-flacco-sam-koch-chris-moore-williams-touchdown-win|title=Ravens vs. Browns: MVP, 10 Winners & 3 Losers|last=Barber|first=Kyle P.|date=December 17, 2017|website=Baltimore Beatdown|language=en|access-date=December 23, 2019}} He started 12 games for the Ravens with 30 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 2 quarterback hits, 2 passes deflected, a fumble recovery & a touchdown.
In Week 5 of the 2018 season, Williams recorded his fifth sack against the Cleveland Browns.{{Cite web|url=https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/2018/10/7/17946736/ravens-vs-browns-final-recap-joe-flacco-baker-mayfield-denzel-ward-michael-crabtree|title=Ravens vs Browns Final Recap: Defensive game ends in heartbreaking fashion|last=Cox|first=Dustin|date=October 7, 2018|website=Baltimore Beatdown|language=en|access-date=December 23, 2019}} In 2018, Williams started all 16 games, recording 34 tackles and one sack, on his way to his first Pro Bowl.{{cite web|title=Ravens DT Brandon Williams Named to Pro Bowl for First Time|url=https://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/ravens-dt-brandon-williams-named-to-pro-bowl-for-first-time|author=Brown, Clifton|website=BaltimoreRavens.com|date=January 15, 2019}}
Williams was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list by the Ravens on October 17, 2020,{{cite news |title=Ravens Place Brandon Williams on Reserve/COVID-19 List |url=https://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/ravens-place-brandon-williams-on-reserve-covid-19-list |website=BaltimoreRavens.com |date=October 17, 2020 |access-date=October 31, 2020}} and was activated on October 22, 2020.{{cite news |author=Brown, Clifton |title=Brandon Williams Off Reserve/COVID-19 List, Anthony Averett Goes on IR |url=https://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/brandon-williams-off-reserve-covid-19-list-anthony-averett-goes-on-ir |website=BaltimoreRavens.com |date=October 22, 2020 |access-date=October 31, 2020}} He was placed back on the COVID-19 list on November 23, 2020,{{cite news |author=Mink, Ryan |title=Ravens Place Mark Ingram, J.K. Dobbins, Brandon Williams on Reserve/COVID-19 List |url=https://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/ravens-place-mark-ingram-j-k-dobbins-brandon-williams-on-reserve-covid-19-list |website=BaltimoreRavens.com |date=November 23, 2020 |access-date=December 29, 2020}} and activated on December 1, 2020.{{cite news |author=Kasinitz, Aaron |title=Baltimore Ravens activate Trace McSorley, Brandon Williams and 2 others from COVID list |url=https://www.pennlive.com/baltimore-ravens/2020/12/baltimore-ravens-activate-trace-mcsorley-brandon-williams-and-2-others-from-covid-list.html |website=PennLive.com |date=December 1, 2020 |access-date=December 29, 2020}}
=Kansas City Chiefs=
On November 30, 2022, the Kansas City Chiefs signed Williams to their practice squad.{{Cite web |date=November 30, 2022 |title=Brandon Williams: To join Chiefs' practice squad |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/football/news/brandon-williams-to-join-chiefs-practice-squad/ |access-date=March 24, 2023 |website=CBS Sports}} He was promoted to the active roster on December 8, 2022.{{Cite web |last=Alper |first=Josh |date=December 8, 2022 |title=Chiefs sign Brandon Williams to active roster |url=https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2022/12/08/chiefs-sign-brandon-williams-to-active-roster/ |access-date=March 24, 2023 |website=ProFootballTalk |language=en-US}} Williams won his first Super Bowl ring when the Chiefs defeated the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LVII.{{Cite web |title=Super Bowl LVII - Philadelphia Eagles vs. Kansas City Chiefs - February 12th, 2023 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202302120phi.htm |access-date=March 24, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
On November 5, 2024, Williams officially retired from professional football as a Raven.{{cite web | last=Brown | first=Clifton | title=Brandon Williams Officially Retires a Raven | website=Baltimore Ravens | date=2024-11-05 | url=https://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/brandon-williams-officially-retires-as-raven-week-10-2024 | access-date=2025-01-15}}
NFL career statistics
| class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
! colspan="2"| Legend |
| Bold
| Career high |
=Regular season=
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" | ||||||||||||||||
| rowspan="2"| Year
!rowspan="2"| Team !colspan="2"| Games !colspan="5"| Tackles !colspan="5"| Interceptions !colspan="4"| Fumbles | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Cmb | Solo | Ast | Sck | TFL | Int | Yds | TD | Lng | PD | FF | FR | Yds | TD | |
| 2013 | BAL
| 7 || 0 || 6 || 3 || 3 || 1.0 || 2 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||||
| 2014 | BAL
| 16 || 14 || 47 || 25 || 22 || 0.5 || 2 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 1 || 1 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||||
| 2015 | BAL
| 16 || 16 || 53 || 35 || 18 || 2.0 || 9 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 2 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||||
| 2016 | BAL
| 16 || 16 || 51 || 34 || 17 || 1.0 || 4 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||||
| 2017 | BAL
| 12 || 12 || 30 || 18 || 12 || 0.0 || 5 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 2 || 0 || 1 || 1 || 1 | |||||||||||||||
| 2018 | BAL
| 16 || 16 || 34 || 21 || 13 || 1.0 || 3 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||||
| 2019 | BAL
| 14 || 14 || 34 || 13 || 21 || 1.0 || 2 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||||
| 2020 | BAL
| 13 || 13 || 33 || 19 || 14 || 0.0 || 2 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 2 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||||
| 2021 | BAL
| 13 || 13 || 35 || 15 || 20 || 0.0 || 4 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 3 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||||
| 2022 | KC
| 5 || 0 || 2 || 1 || 1 || 0.5 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||||
| colspan="2"| | 128 | 114 | 325 | 184 | 141 | 7.0 | 34 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 1 |
=Playoffs=
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" | ||||||||||||||||
| rowspan="2"| Year
!rowspan="2"| Team !colspan="2"| Games !colspan="5"| Tackles !colspan="5"| Interceptions !colspan="4"| Fumbles | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Cmb | Solo | Ast | Sck | TFL | Int | Yds | TD | Lng | PD | FF | FR | Yds | TD | |
| 2014 | BAL
| 2 || 2 || 7 || 5 || 2 || 1.0 || 2 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||||
| 2018 | BAL
| 1 || 1 || 2 || 1 || 1 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||||
| 2019 | BAL
| 1 || 1 || 6 || 5 || 1 || 0.0 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||||
| 2020 | BAL
| 2 || 2 || 6 || 3 || 3 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||||
| 2022 | KAN
| 3 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||||
| colspan="2"| | 9 | 6 | 21 | 14 | 7 | 1.0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{commons}}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20130509035209/http://www.mssulions.com/sports/fball/2012-13/bios/williams_brandon_11yy Missouri Southern State Lions bio]
- {{YouTube|WGSMeSZXQdM|'Drive To Make It' feature on Brandon Williams}}
- [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WillBr02.htm Pro-Football reference]
{{Ravens2013DraftPicks}}
{{Super Bowl LVII}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Williams, Brandon}}
Category:American football defensive ends
Category:American football defensive tackles
Category:Baltimore Ravens players
Category:Kansas City Chiefs players
Category:Missouri Southern Lions football players
Category:Sportspeople from Kirkwood, Missouri
Category:Players of American football from St. Louis County, Missouri