Kasen Williams

{{Infobox NFL biography

| name = Kasen Williams

| image = Kasen Williams (6339553444) (cropped).jpg

| image_size =

| caption = Williams with Washington in 2011

| current_team =

| number = 18, 82

| position = Wide receiver

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1992|12|05}}

| birth_place = Seattle, Washington, U.S.

| death_date =

| death_place =

| height_ft = 6

| height_in = 2

| weight_lbs = 219

| high_school = Skyline {{avoid wrap|(Sammamish, Washington)}}

| college = Washington (2011–2014)

| undraftedyear = 2015

| pastteams =

Cincinnati Bengals ({{NFL Year|2015}})*
Seattle Seahawks ({{NFL Year|2015}}–{{NFL Year|2016}})
Cleveland Browns ({{NFL Year|2017}})
Indianapolis Colts ({{NFL Year|2018}})*
Seattle Dragons ({{XFL Year|2020}})

| status =

| highlights =

| statseason =

| statweek =

| statlabel1 = Receptions

| statvalue1 = 10

| statlabel2 = Receiving yards

| statvalue2 = 92

| statlabel3 = Receiving touchdowns

| statvalue3 =

}}

Kasen Williams (born December 5, 1992) is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Washington Huskies.

Early life

Williams attended Skyline High School in Sammamish, Washington, east of Seattle, where he lettered in football, track, and basketball. {{nowrap|He received}} numerous awards in high school, including the Parade All-America National Player of the Year, MaxPreps.com's National Player of the Year, and was also named a first-team All-American by USA Today, ESPN, and Maxpreps.com. After receiving multiple offers from other major programs, Williams committed to Washington just prior to his senior year at Skyline on {{nowrap|August 27, 2010.{{Cite news|url=http://www.seattletimes.com/sports/uw-huskies/kasen-williams-commits-to-washington/|title=Kasen Williams commits to Washington|last=Kelley|first=Mason|date=August 27, 2010|work=Seattle Times|access-date=October 17, 2018|language=en-US}}}}

{{College athlete recruit entry

| recruit = Kasen Williams

| position = WR

| hometown = Sammamish, Washington

| highschool = Skyline High School

| feet = 6

| inches = 1

| weight = 197

| 40 = 4.60

| commitdate = August 28, 2010

| scout stars = 5

| rivals stars = 4

| 247 stars = 4

}}

{{College athlete recruit end

| 40 = yes

| year = 2011

| rivals ref title = 2011 Washington Football Commitment List

| scout ref title = 2011 Washington College Football Recruiting Commits

| scouts =

| scout overall = 2 (WR)

| rivals overall = 13 (WR), 2 (Washington)

| accessdate = June 13, 2015

}}

College career

As a true freshman at Washington in 2011, Williams appeared in all 13 games as a wide receiver and punt returner. He finished the season with 36 receptions for 427 yards {{nowrap|and 6 touchdowns.}} {{nowrap|In 2012,}} Williams started every game as a sophomore and earned honorable mention All-Pac-12 honors. He totaled 77 catches, earning him third place on the Huskies' all-time single-season reception list, and tallied 878 receiving yards {{nowrap|and 6 touchdowns.}} As a junior in 2013, he started every game until a season-ending broken fibula against California in late October. Head coach Steve Sarkisian departed that December and was succeeded by Chris Petersen. Williams played in every game in his senior season in 2014, starting six; he finished with a career-low 20 receptions for 189 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Professional career

Due to not receiving an invitation to the NFL Combine in {{nfly|2015}}, Williams received minimal attention from professional scouts.{{Cite news|url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/nfl-draft-scout/25061180/nfl-combine-snubs-and-surprises|title=2015 NFL Combine: Snubs, surprises|last=Brugler|first=Dane|date=February 6, 2015|work=CBS Sports|access-date=August 21, 2017|language=en}}

{{NFL predraft

| height ft = 6

| height in = 1

| weight = 218

| dash = 4.63

| ten split = 1.64

| twenty split = 2.67

| shuttle = 4.47

| cone drill = 7.05

| vertical = 35.5

| broad ft = 9

| broad in = 11

| bench = 17

| note = All values from the University of Washington Pro Day{{cite web|url=http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=119542&draftyear=2015&genpos=WR|title=Kasen Williams - Washington, WR : 2015 NFL Draft Scout Player Profile|website=www.nfldraftscout.com}}

}}

= Cincinnati Bengals =

Unselected in the 2015 NFL draft, Williams signed with the Cincinnati Bengals shortly after, but was released in May after a {{nowrap|failed physical.{{Cite news|url=https://www.cincyjungle.com/2015/5/10/8581449/kasen-williams-it-just-wasnt-a-good-fit-with-the-bengals|title=Kasen Williams: It just wasn't a good fit|last=Kirkendall|first=Josh|date=May 10, 2015|work=Cincy Jungle|access-date=September 3, 2017}}}}

= Seattle Seahawks =

The Seattle Seahawks signed Williams to a rookie mini-camp contract, where he impressed coaches with his sure-handed catching ability, and he was signed by the team on {{nowrap|June 12, 2015,{{Cite news|url=http://www.fieldgulls.com/2015/6/12/8775135/seahawks-sign-kasen-williams|title=Seahawks sign Kasen Williams|last=Kelly|first=Danny|date=June 12, 2015|work=Field Gulls|access-date=August 21, 2017}}}} but released on {{nowrap|September 5.{{Cite news|url=http://www.seahawks.com/news/2015/09/07/monday-round-recapping-what-coach-pete-carroll-said-about-seahawks-53-man-roster-710|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170821091753/http://www.seahawks.com/news/2015/09/07/monday-round-recapping-what-coach-pete-carroll-said-about-seahawks-53-man-roster-710|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 21, 2017|title=Monday Round-Up: Recapping What Coach Pete Carroll Said About The Seahawks' 53-Man Roster on 710 ESPN Seattle|last=Drovetto|first=Tony|date=September 7, 2015|work=Seattle Seahawks|access-date=August 21, 2017}}}} The next day, on September 6, he was signed to their practice squad. On December 26, Williams was signed to the Seahawks' {{nowrap|53-man roster,}} replacing tight end Anthony McCoy who was put on injured reserve.{{Cite news|url=http://www.seattletimes.com/sports/seahawks/seattle-seahawks-promote-kasen-williams-to-53-man-roster/|title=Seattle Seahawks promote Kasen Williams to 53-man roster, place TE Anthony McCoy on IR|last=Condotta|first=Bob|date=December 26, 2015|work=The Seattle Times|access-date=August 21, 2017|language=en-US}}

On September 3, 2016, Williams was released by the Seahawks as part of final roster cuts,{{cite web|url=http://www.seahawks.com/news/2016/09/03/seattle-seahawks-set-53-man-roster-trade-defensive-backs-lj-mccray-and-dewey|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170806021632/http://www.seahawks.com/news/2016/09/03/seattle-seahawks-set-53-man-roster-trade-defensive-backs-lj-mccray-and-dewey|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 6, 2017|title=Seattle Seahawks Set 53-Man Roster, Trade For Defensive Backs L.J. McCray And Dewey McDonald|last=Drovetto|first=Tony|date=September 3, 2016|website=Seattle Seahawks}} and was then signed to their practice squad.{{cite web|url=http://www.seahawks.com/news/2016/09/05/seahawks-make-roster-moves-and-sign-eight-players-practice-squad|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180213221709/http://www.seahawks.com/news/2016/09/05/seahawks-make-roster-moves-and-sign-eight-players-practice-squad|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 13, 2018|title=Seahawks Make Roster Moves And Sign Eight Players To Practice Squad|last=Boyle|first=John|date=September 5, 2016|website=Seattle Seahawks}} On September 13, he was released from the Seahawks' practice squad,{{cite web|url=http://www.seahawks.com/news/2016/09/13/seahawks-sign-fullback-will-tukuafu-and-cornerback-neiko-thorpe|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170804014208/http://www.seahawks.com/news/2016/09/13/seahawks-sign-fullback-will-tukuafu-and-cornerback-neiko-thorpe|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 4, 2017|title=Seahawks Sign Fullback Will Tukuafu And Cornerback Neiko Thorpe|last=Boyle|first=John|date=September 13, 2016|website=Seattle Seahawks}} then re-signed to the practice squad on September 21.{{cite web|url=http://www.seahawks.com/news/2016/09/21/seahawks-release-fullback-will-tukuafu-make-changes-practice-squad|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170821085759/http://www.seahawks.com/news/2016/09/21/seahawks-release-fullback-will-tukuafu-make-changes-practice-squad|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 21, 2017|title=Seahawks Release Fullback Will Tukuafu, Make Changes To Practice Squad|last=Boyle|first=John|date=September 21, 2016|website=Seahawks.com}} On December 27, he was promoted to the Seahawks' active roster to replace the injured {{nowrap|Tyler Lockett.{{cite web|url=http://www.seahawks.com/news/2016/12/27/seahawks-place-tyler-lockett-injured-reserve-sign-kasen-williams-practice-squad|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171017061949/http://www.seahawks.com/news/2016/12/27/seahawks-place-tyler-lockett-injured-reserve-sign-kasen-williams-practice-squad|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 17, 2017|title=Seahawks Place Tyler Lockett On Injured Reserve, Sign Kasen Williams From Practice Squad|author=Boyle, John|date=December 27, 2016|website=Seattle Seahawks}}}}

In 2017, Williams caught four passes for 119 yards in his first preseason game on August 13,{{Cite news|url=http://www.seahawks.com/news/2017/08/14/seahawks-receiver-kasen-williams-seizes-opportunities-preseason-win-chargers|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171005231343/http://www.seahawks.com/news/2017/08/14/seahawks-receiver-kasen-williams-seizes-opportunities-preseason-win-chargers|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 5, 2017|title=Seahawks Receiver Kasen Williams Seizes Opportunities In Preseason Win At Chargers|last=Drovetto|first=Tony|date=August 14, 2017|work=Seattle Seahawks|access-date=August 21, 2017|language=en}} and caught a touchdown the next week against the Minnesota Vikings.{{Cite news|url=http://www.espn.com/blog/seattle-seahawks/post/_/id/26300/russell-wilson-kasen-williams-among-seahawks-standouts-vs-vikings|title=Russell Wilson, Kasen Williams among Seahawks' standouts vs. Vikings|last=Kapadia|first=Sheil|date=August 19, 2017|work=ESPN.com|access-date=September 3, 2017}} Despite a strong preseason, Williams was waived by the Seahawks on September 2.{{cite web|title=Seahawks Make Three More Trades, Set 53-Man Roster|url=http://www.seahawks.com/news/2017/09/02/seahawks-make-three-more-trades-set-53-man-roster|author=Drovetto, Tony|website=Seahawks.com|date=September 2, 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171009153425/http://www.seahawks.com/news/2017/09/02/seahawks-make-three-more-trades-set-53-man-roster|archive-date=October 9, 2017}}

=Cleveland Browns=

The following day on September 3, 2017, Williams was claimed off waivers by the Cleveland Browns,{{cite web|title=Browns claim 5 players off waivers |url=http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/article-5/Browns-claim-5-players-off-waivers/6086b90e-603c-4966-8f3d-ced3f238868a |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180201012939/http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/article-5/Browns-claim-5-players-off-waivers/6086b90e-603c-4966-8f3d-ced3f238868a |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 1, 2018 |website=ClevelandBrowns.com|date=September 3, 2017}} but was waived on November 16 and was re-signed to their practice squad.{{cite web|title=Browns activate WR Corey Coleman|url=http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/article-5/Browns-activate-WR-Corey-Coleman/5ca26e04-d6f7-4c1f-8504-62edcbc9c961|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171118134635/http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/article-5/Browns-activate-WR-Corey-Coleman/5ca26e04-d6f7-4c1f-8504-62edcbc9c961|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 18, 2017|website=ClevelandBrowns.com|date=November 16, 2017}}{{cite web|title=Browns sign WR Kasen Williams to practice squad|url=http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/article-5/Browns-sign-WR-Kasen-Williams-to-practice-squad/3e28047a-b57a-4bb3-ad02-bb0759c9f99b|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180325050944/http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/article-5/Browns-sign-WR-Kasen-Williams-to-practice-squad/3e28047a-b57a-4bb3-ad02-bb0759c9f99b|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 25, 2018|website=ClevelandBrowns.com|date=November 18, 2017}} He signed a reserve/future contract with the Browns on January 1, 2018,{{cite web|title=Browns sign eight players|url=http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/article-5/Browns-sign-eight-players/20a31eb8-ce5e-4c5a-b057-0175ee839419|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180408233929/http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/article-5/Browns-sign-eight-players/20a31eb8-ce5e-4c5a-b057-0175ee839419|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 8, 2018|website=ClevelandBrowns.com|date=January 1, 2018}} but was waived on April 30.{{cite web|title=Browns sign QB Joel Stave|url=http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/article-5/Browns-sign-QB-Joel-Stave/5f187a67-f808-4284-be64-03ec8143f9e9|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180625161106/http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/article-5/Browns-sign-QB-Joel-Stave/5f187a67-f808-4284-be64-03ec8143f9e9|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 25, 2018|website=ClevelandBrowns.com|date=April 30, 2018}}

=Indianapolis Colts=

Williams signed with the Indianapolis Colts on May 11, 2018,{{cite web|title=ROSTER MOVE: Colts Sign WR-Kasen Williams|url=http://www.colts.com/news/article-1/ROSTER-MOVE-Colts-Sign-WR-Kasen-Williams/c6bb7b6a-064e-4fca-85f4-d5fab8083ad9|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180512181512/http://www.colts.com/news/article-1/ROSTER-MOVE-Colts-Sign-WR-Kasen-Williams/c6bb7b6a-064e-4fca-85f4-d5fab8083ad9|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 12, 2018|website=Colts.com|date=May 11, 2018}} but was waived on September 1.{{Cite web |last=Walker |first=Andrew |date=September 1, 2018 |title=Colts Announce Final 2018 Roster Cuts |url=https://www.colts.com/news/colts-announce-final-2018-roster-cuts |access-date=2025-05-15 |website=Colts.com}}

=Seattle Dragons=

Williams was selected by the Seattle Dragons in the 7th round of the 2020 XFL Draft on October 15, 2019.{{cite web|last=Bender|first=Bill|url=https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/xfl-draft-tracker-results-picks-list-rosters-football-league/jahz8p84e4i61hb8lajqs4a22|title=XFL Draft picks 2019: Complete results, rosters, players for new football league|website=Sporting News|date=October 21, 2019|access-date=October 23, 2019}} He missed the first two games of the season with a quadriceps injury.{{cite news |author=Hanson, Scott |title=XFL Seattle Dragons surpass 10,000 in season-ticket sales |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/xfl-seattle-dragons-surpass-10000-in-season-ticket-sales/ |website=SeattleTimes.com |date=February 18, 2020 |access-date=February 22, 2020}} He had his contract terminated when the league suspended operations on April 10, 2020.{{cite news |author=Condotta, Bob |title=XFL suspends operations, terminates all employees, but Jim Zorn says he has hopes league will continue |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/xfl-suspends-operations-terminates-all-employees/ |website=SeattleTimes.com |date=April 10, 2020 |access-date=July 17, 2020}}

Personal life

Williams' father Aaron also played college football at Washington; he was a standout wide receiver for the Huskies from {{nowrap|1979–1982}} under head coach {{nowrap|Don James.}} Kasen's sister Kiara played soccer at Arizona State University {{nowrap|from 2009–2012.}}