Melvin Williams (American football)
{{Short description|American football player (born 1979)}}
{{Other people|Melvin Williams|Melvin Williams (disambiguation){{!}}Melvin Williams}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Melvin Williams
| image =
| position = Defensive end
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1979|2|2}}
| birth_place = St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 2
| weight_lbs = 269
| high_school = Mehlville (Mehlville, Missouri)
| college = Kansas State (1998–2002)
| draftyear = 2003
| draftround = 5
| draftpick = 155
| pastteams =
- New Orleans Saints ({{NFL Year|2003}}–{{NFL Year|2004}})
- San Francisco 49ers ({{NFL Year|2004}})
- Miami Dolphins ({{NFL Year|2004}})
- Washington Redskins ({{NFL Year|2004|2005}})
- New Orleans VooDoo ({{AFL Year|2007}})
|highlights=
- Third-team All-Big 12 (2002)
| statlabel1 = Tackles
| statvalue1 = 16
| statlabel2 = Fumble recoveries
| statvalue2 = 1
| statlabel3 = Passes defended
| statvalue3 = 4
| pfr = W/WillMe20
| afl = 10385
}}
Melvin Williams (born February 2, 1979) is an American former professional football defensive end who played two seasons in the National Football League (NFL) with the New Orleans Saints and San Francisco 49ers. He was selected by the Saints in the fifth round of the 2003 NFL draft after playing college football at Kansas State University. Williams was also a member of the Miami Dolphins, Washington Redskins and New Orleans VooDoo.
Early life
Melvin Williams was born on February 2, 1979, in St. Louis, Missouri.{{cite web | url=http://www.profootballarchives.com/players/w/will23230.html | title=MELVIN WILLIAMS | publisher=Pro Football Archives | accessdate=15 May 2025}} He was a three-year letterman in both football and basketball at Mehlville High School in Mehlville, Missouri. As a junior in 1995, he recorded 68 solo tackles, 48 assisted tackles, and 11 sacks on defense while also catching nine touchdown passes as a tight end on offense. As a senior in 1996, Williams totaled 78 solo tackles, 16 sacks, five forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, three interceptions, and 18 receptions for 400 yards and eight touchdowns. He earned first-team all-state honors his senior year. He averaged 19.2 points per game and 10.8 rebounds per game his junior season in basketball. He finished his basketball career as the school's all-time leading scorer.
College career
Williams originally signed to play college football for the Kansas State Wildcats of Kansas State University in 1997 but did not enroll until spring 1998. He was redshirted in 1998, and was a four-year letterman from 1999 to 2002. He earned Associated Press third-team All-Big 12 honors his senior year in 2002.{{cite web | url=https://big12sports.com/news/2002/12/10/1518373.aspx | title=2002 AP All-Big 12 Team | publisher=Big 12 Conference | date=December 10, 2002 | accessdate=15 May 2025}}
Professional career
Williams was selected by the New Orleans Saints in the fifth round, with the 155th overall pick, of the 2003 NFL draft.{{Cite web |title=2003 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2003/draft.htm |access-date=2023-03-28 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}} He signed with the Saints on June 16, 2003.{{cite web | url=http://www.profootballarchives.com/transactions/w/will23230.html | title=Melvin Williams Transactions | publisher=Pro Football Archives | accessdate=15 May 2025}} He played in 14 games, starting two, for the Saints during his rookie year in 2003, recording six solo tackles, six assisted tackles, and one pass breakup. Williams was waived on October 4, 2004.
Williams was claimed off waivers by the San Francisco 49ers on October 5, 2004. He was waived on October 19, re-signed on November 3, and waived again on November 13, 2004. Overall, he played in three games for the 49ers during the 2004 season, totaling three solo tackles, one assisted tackle, and three pass breakups.{{cite web | url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WillMe20.htm | title=Melvin Williams | publisher=Pro Football Reference | accessdate=15 May 2025}}
Williams was claimed off waivers by the Miami Dolphins on November 15, 2004. He was soon released on November 23, 2004, before appearing in any games.
Williams signed with the Washington Redskins on December 29, 2004, but was released two days later. He re-signed with the Redskins on January 3, 2005. He was placed on injured reserve on August 18, 2005, and spent the entire season there. Williams became a free agent after the 2005 season.
Williams was signed by the New Orleans VooDoo of the Arena Football League on January 9, 2007.{{cite web | url=http://www.arenafan.com/teams/?page=transactions&type=old&team=66 | title=Historical Team Transactions | publisher=arenafan.com | accessdate=November 17, 2014}} He was placed on injured reserve on
February 16. He was activated on March 30, 2007. Williams played in nine games for the VooDoo during the 2007 season, recording five solo tackles, one assisted tackle, one forced fumble, three fumble recoveries, and one blocked kick.{{cite web | url=https://www.arenafan.com/players/10385/ | title=Melvin Williams | publisher=ArenaFan.com | accessdate=15 May 2025}}
Personal life
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.justsportsstats.com/footballstatsindex.php?player_id=willimel001 Stats Crew profile]
- [http://www.kstatesports.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/williams_melvin00.html Kansas State Wildcats profile]
- [http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=59718&draftyear=2003&genpos=DE NFL Draft Scout]
{{Saints2003DraftPicks}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Williams, Melvin}}
Category:Players of American football from St. Louis
Category:American football defensive ends
Category:Kansas State Wildcats football players
Category:New Orleans Saints players
Category:San Francisco 49ers players
Category:Miami Dolphins players
Category:Washington Redskins players
Category:New Orleans VooDoo players