Jordan Williams
No. 1     Toronto Argonauts
Williams with the Argonauts in 2023
Born: (1994-11-23) November 23, 1994
Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.[1]
Career information
StatusActive
CFL statusNational
Position(s)Linebacker
Height6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight230 lb (100 kg)
CollegeEast Carolina (2014–2017)
High schoolDover (York, PA)

Jack Britt (Fayetteville, NC)

CFL Draft2020 / Round: 1 / Pick: 1
Drafted byBC Lions
Career history
As player
2021–2022BC Lions
2023–presentToronto Argonauts
Career highlights and awards
Career stats

Jordan Williams (born November 23, 1994) is a professional Canadian football linebacker for the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He was originally drafted first overall in the 2020 CFL Draft by the BC Lions. He played college football for the East Carolina Pirates.

High school career

Because his mother was in the military, Williams moved around frequently in his youth, including Baltimore and Pennsylvania.[2] Williams was a three-year letterwinner at Jack Britt High School in Fayetteville, North Carolina. He was twice an All-Mid-South 4-A Conference selection. However, his collegiate options were limited due to academic issues.[3]

College career

Williams joined East Carolina as a preferred walk-on after transferring from Shaw University as a freshman.[4][5] He earned a scholarship and played nine games on special teams in the 2014 season as a redshirt freshman.[3] Williams finished second in tackles with 81 as a sophomore. As a junior, he led the team in tackles with 77.[4][3] Williams finished second on the team in tackles with 89 as a senior in 2017, including three for a loss and a forced fumble.[6] In his career, Williams started 25 of 45 games and posted 252 tackles (123 solo), 13.0 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks, two forced fumbles, three pass breakups and an interception. Williams also contributed 11 double-digit tackle performances. He earned a bachelor's degree from ECU in Health & Communications minor.[4]

Professional career

Early career

Williams received an invite to the San Francisco 49ers Camp in 2018 but did not make the team. He continued to train and received Canadian citizenship. He nearly joined the Ottawa Redblacks out of training camp in 2019, but was convinced to enter the CFL Draft since his mother was Canadian.[5]

BC Lions

Williams was drafted first overall in the 2020 CFL Draft by the BC Lions. The number one pick was originally held by the Ottawa Redblacks, who dealt the pick the Calgary Stampeders, who subsequently traded the pick to the Lions on draft day.[7] He did not play in 2020 due to the cancellation of the 2020 CFL season and was officially signed by the Lions on May 5, 2021.[8] Williams had an outstanding 2021 season with the Lions, and set a CFL record for most defensive tackles in a season by a Canadian rookie with 92, surpassing the previous high of 75 set by Mike O'Shea in 1993.[9] Following his impressive 2021 season, Williams was named the CFL's Most Outstanding Rookie and was just the second number one draft pick to win the award.[10]

Toronto Argonauts

On February 9, 2023, it was announced that Williams had been traded to the Toronto Argonauts in exchange for a first-round pick in the 2023 CFL Draft.[11]

References

  1. ↑ Baker, Matt (May 1, 2020). "Draft recap: Stocking the cupboards". BC Lions. Retrieved May 2, 2020.
  2. ↑ Adams, J.J. (May 1, 2020). "B.C. Lions: Sitting out might have supercharged Jordan Williams' football career". The Province. Retrieved May 2, 2020.
  3. 1 2 3 Batten, Sammy (August 28, 2017). "Jack Britt grad Jordan Williams in new role as ECU's defensive voice". Fayetteville Observer. Retrieved May 2, 2020.
  4. 1 2 3 Bailey, Brian (April 30, 2020). "Former Pirate Jordan Williams selected 1st overall in CFL Draft". WNCT. Retrieved May 2, 2020.
  5. 1 2 Igoe, Stephen (April 30, 2020). "Former ECU LB Jordan Williams taken first overall in CFL Draft". 247 Sports. Retrieved May 2, 2020.
  6. ↑ Ralph, Dan (March 13, 2020). "Linebacker Jordan Williams feels fortunate to take part in final CFL combine". North Shore News. Retrieved May 2, 2020.
  7. ↑ Reineking, Jim (April 30, 2020). "2020 CFL draft: East Carolina LB Jordan Williams selected by BC Lions with No. 1 pick". USA Today. Retrieved May 2, 2020.
  8. ↑ Baker, Matt (May 5, 2021). "Lions sign 2020 1st overall pick Jordan Williams". BC Lions. Retrieved May 5, 2021.
  9. ↑ "B.C. Lions Jordan Williams sets single-season record for tackles by Canadian rookie - TSN.ca". TSN. The Canadian Press. 2021-11-10. Retrieved 2021-11-10.
  10. ↑ "Recap: Bombers names laced through CFL Awards". Canadian Football League. December 13, 2021.
  11. ↑ "Argos acquire 2020 first overall pick LB Jordan Williams in trade with Lions". Toronto Argonauts. February 9, 2023.
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