Isaiah Williams
Encyclopedia
Isaiah Williams is an American football
wide receiver
for the Seattle Seahawks
. He played college football
for the Maryland Terrapins
at the University of Maryland
.
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.
Williams attended Bergen Catholic High School
where he played football for two years and ran track
for three. As a junior, he recorded 11 receptions for 229 yards and three touchdown
s. 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 kickoff
s 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
. 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
.
. 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. 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. 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." That year, Williams played in all 13 games, including six starts and recorded 395 receiving yards to finish second on the team. 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
.
, but was signed as an undrafted free agent soon after by the Baltimore Ravens
. 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.
signed Williams as a free agent on May 11, 2010 to fill in for wide receiver Limas Sweed
who was placed on injured reserve. Williams was released by the Steelers on August 23, 2010.
signed Williams as a free agent on August 30, 2010. He was released in the final preseason cuts, but subsequently signed to the practice squad. Williams caught a game winning touchdown in a preseason game vs. The Oakland Raiders
on August 11, 2011.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
wide receiver
Wide receiver
A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible...
for the Seattle Seahawks
Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks are a professional American football team based in Seattle, Washington. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team joined the NFL in 1976 as an expansion team...
. He played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
for the Maryland Terrapins
Maryland Terrapins football
The Maryland Terrapins football team represents the University of Maryland in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision competition. The Terrapins compete within the Atlantic Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference...
at the University of Maryland
University of Maryland, College Park
The University of Maryland, College Park is a top-ranked public research university located in the city of College Park in Prince George's County, Maryland, just outside Washington, D.C...
.
Early years
Williams was born on January 30, 1987 in Montclair, New JerseyMontclair, New Jersey
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 38,977 people, 15,020 households, and 9,687 families residing in the township. The population density was 6,183.6 people per square mile . There were 15,531 housing units at an average density of 2,464.0 per square mile...
to parents Ira and Rita Williams. His father played football at Rutgers
Rutgers Scarlet Knights football
The Rutgers Scarlet Knights football team represents Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision play...
and his brother, Ira, Jr., played at Wake Forest
Wake Forest Demon Deacons football
The Wake Forest Demon Deacons football team represents Wake Forest University in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference. Wake Forest plays its home football games at BB&T Field....
from 1998
Wake Forest Demon Deacons football, 1990-1999
Note: * denotes conference game-1990:-Schedule:-Team Leaders:-1991:-Schedule:-Team Leaders:-1992:-Schedule:-Team Leaders:-1993:-Schedule:-Team Leaders:-1994:-Schedule:-Team Leaders:...
to 2001
Wake Forest Demon Deacons football, 2000-2009
Note: * denotes conference game-2000:-Schedule:-Team Leaders:-2001:-Schedule:-Team Leaders:-2002:-Schedule:-Team Leaders:-2003:-Schedule:-Team Leaders:-2004:-Schedule:-Team Leaders:-2005:...
. His twin sister, Tahirah, played basketball as a guard at Connecticut
Connecticut Huskies women's basketball
The Connecticut Huskies women's basketball team represents the University of Connecticut in Storrs, Connecticut in NCAA women's basketball competition. Under head coach Geno Auriemma, the Huskies have won 7 NCAA Division I national championships, advanced to 12 Final Fours, and won over 30 Big...
She was a senior on the 2008–09 Connecticut Huskies women's basketball team
2008–09 Connecticut Huskies women's basketball team
The 2008–09 Connecticut Huskies women's basketball team represented the University of Connecticut in the 2008–2009 NCAA Division I basketball season. Coached by Geno Auriemma, the Huskies played their home games at the Hartford Civic Center in Hartford, Connecticut, and on campus at the Harry A....
that went undefeated and won the National Championship.
Williams attended Bergen Catholic High School
Bergen Catholic High School
Bergen Catholic High School is an all-male Roman Catholic high school in Oradell, Bergen County, New Jersey, United States, serving students in ninth through twelfth grade...
where he played football for two years and ran track
Track and field
Track and field is a sport comprising various competitive athletic contests based around the activities of running, jumping and throwing. The name of the sport derives from the venue for the competitions: a stadium which features an oval running track surrounding a grassy area...
for three. As a junior, he recorded 11 receptions for 229 yards and three touchdown
Touchdown
A touchdown is a means of scoring in American and Canadian football. Whether running, passing, returning a kickoff or punt, or recovering a turnover, a team scores a touchdown by advancing the ball into the opponent's end zone.-Description:...
s. 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 kickoff
Kickoff (American football)
A kickoff is a method of starting a drive in American football and Canadian football. Typically, a kickoff consists of one team – the "kicking team" – kicking the ball to the opposing team – the "receiving team"...
s for 308 yards. He was named an Associated Press
Associated Press
The Associated Press is an American news agency. The AP is a cooperative owned by its contributing newspapers, radio and television stations in the United States, which both contribute stories to the AP and use material written by its staff journalists...
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
Maryland Terrapins football
The Maryland Terrapins football team represents the University of Maryland in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision competition. The Terrapins compete within the Atlantic Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference...
, Syracuse
Syracuse Orange football
The Syracuse Orange football program is a college football team that represents Syracuse University. The team is a member of the Big East Conference, which is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I conference that is part of the Football Bowl Subdivision...
, West Virginia
West Virginia Mountaineers football
The West Virginia Mountaineers football team represents West Virginia University in the NCAA FBS division of college football. Dana Holgorsen is the team's 33rd head coach. He has held the position since he was promoted in June 2011 after the resignation of Bill Stewart. The Mountaineers play their...
, and Wisconsin
Wisconsin Badgers football
The Wisconsin Badgers are a college football program that represents the University of Wisconsin–Madison in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision and the Big Ten Conference. They play their home games at Camp Randall Stadium, the fourth-oldest stadium in college football...
. He chose to attend Maryland, due to a desire to play in the Atlantic Coast Conference
Atlantic Coast Conference
The Atlantic Coast Conference is a collegiate athletic league in the United States. Founded in 1953 in Greensboro, North Carolina, the ACC sanctions competition in twenty-five sports in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association for its twelve member universities...
(ACC), stay close to home, and the Terrapins' three winning seasons from 2001
2001 Maryland Terrapins football team
The 2001 Maryland Terrapins football team represented the University of Maryland in its 49th season in the Atlantic Coast Conference. The Terps closed the regular season with a record of 10–1, with its only loss coming to Florida State. The Terps won the ACC Championship and were granted a Bowl...
to 2003
2003 Maryland Terrapins football team
The 2003 Maryland Terrapins football team represented the University of Maryland in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football season. It was the Terrapins' 51st season as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference...
.
College career
At Maryland, Williams majored in American StudiesAmerican studies
American studies or American civilization is an interdisciplinary field dealing with the study of the United States. It traditionally incorporates the study of history, literature, and critical theory, but also includes fields as diverse as law, art, the media, film, religious studies, urban...
. As a true freshman in 2005
2005 Maryland Terrapins football team
The 2005 Maryland Terrapins football team represented the University of Maryland in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football season. It was the Terrapins' 53rd season as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference and its first within the...
, he played in four games and recorded one reception
Reception (American football)
In American football, a reception is part of a play in which a forward pass from behind the line of scrimmage is received by a player in bounds, who, after the catch, proceeds to either score a touchdown or be downed. Yards gained from the receiving play are credited to the player as receiving...
for four yards. The following season
2006 Maryland Terrapins football team
The 2006 Maryland Terrapins football team represented the University of Maryland in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football season. It was the Terrapins' 54th season as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference and its second within the...
, he saw action in all 13 games including 11 starts
Starting lineup
A starting lineup in sports is an official list of the set of players who will actively participate in the event when the game begins. The players in the starting lineup are commonly referred to as starters, whereas the others are substitutes or bench players.The starters are commonly the best...
. He finished as the team's fourth-leading receiver with 28 receptions and three touchdowns. For the 2007
2007 Maryland Terrapins football team
The 2007 Maryland Terrapins football team represented the University of Maryland in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football season. It was the Terrapins' 55th season as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference and its third within the...
season, he was replaced at the X receiver position by sophomore Darrius Heyward-Bey
Darrius Heyward-Bey
-Oakland Raiders:During Organized Team Activities following the draft, Heyward-Bey practiced early but was plagued by multiple hamstring injuries. On July 30, 2009, the Oakland Raiders agreed to terms on a five-year deal with Heyward-Bey.-External links:***...
. Williams was moved to Z receiver where he shared playing time with redshirt
Redshirt (college sports)
Redshirt is a term used in American college athletics that refers to a delay or suspension of an athlete's participation in order to lengthen his or her period of eligibility...
freshman LaQuan Williams. 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." That year, Williams played in all 13 games, including six starts and recorded 395 receiving yards to finish second on the team. In 2008
2008 Maryland Terrapins football team
The 2008 Maryland Terrapins football team represented the University of Maryland in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football season...
, Williams again played in 13 games with six starts. He recorded six receptions, including a 43-yard touchdown from receiver Danny Oquendo
Danny Oquendo
Daniel "Danny" Oquendo, Jr. is an American football player. He is a former wide receiver for the Maryland Terrapins of the University of Maryland.-Early years:...
on a trick play
Trick play
A trick play, also known as a gadget play or a gimmick play, is a play in American football that uses deception and unorthodox strategies to fool the opposing team. A trick play is often risky, offering the potential for a large gain or a touchdown if it is successful, but with the chance of a...
against Eastern Michigan
2008 Eastern Michigan Eagles football team
The 2008 Eastern Michigan Eagles football team represented Eastern Michigan University in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football during the 2008 season. Eastern Michigan competed as a member of the Mid-American Conference.The team was led by...
.
Baltimore Ravens
Williams was not selected in the 2009 NFL Draft2009 NFL Draft
The 2009 NFL Draft was the seventy-fourth annual meeting of National Football League franchises to select newly eligible football players. The draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 25 and 26, 2009. The draft consisted of two rounds on the first day starting at 4:00...
, but was signed as an undrafted free agent soon after by the Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are a professional football franchise based in Baltimore, Maryland.The Baltimore Ravens are officially a quasi-expansion franchise, having originated in 1995 with the Cleveland Browns relocation controversy after Art Modell, then owner of the Cleveland Browns, announced his...
. 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
Vertical jump
A vertical jump or vertical leap is the act of raising one's center of gravity higher in the vertical plane solely with the use of one's own muscles; it is a measure of how high an individual or athlete can elevate off the ground from a standstill.-Types of vertical jump:The vertical jump is...
of 41 inches.
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh SteelersPittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
signed Williams as a free agent on May 11, 2010 to fill in for wide receiver Limas Sweed
Limas Sweed
Limas Lee Sweed, Jr. is a former American football wide receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League. He played collegiately for the Texas Longhorns. On April 26, 2008 Sweed was taken 53rd overall by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2008 NFL Draft.-High school:Sweed attended...
who was placed on injured reserve. Williams was released by the Steelers on August 23, 2010.
Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona CardinalsArizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals are a professional American football team based in Glendale, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
signed Williams as a free agent on August 30, 2010. He was released in the final preseason cuts, but subsequently signed to the practice squad. Williams caught a game winning touchdown in a preseason game vs. The Oakland Raiders
Oakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
on August 11, 2011.
External links
- Williams family ties link Maryland, Wake, The Baltimore SunThe Baltimore SunThe Baltimore Sun is the U.S. state of Maryland’s largest general circulation daily newspaper and provides coverage of local and regional news, events, issues, people, and industries....
, September 21, 2007. - Terrapins are working to get off the ground, The Washington PostThe Washington PostThe Washington Post is Washington, D.C.'s largest newspaper and its oldest still-existing paper, founded in 1877. Located in the capital of the United States, The Post has a particular emphasis on national politics. D.C., Maryland, and Virginia editions are printed for daily circulation...
, August 17, 2005. - Terps' passing game remains in good hands: Veteran receivers, skilled newcomers provide options, The Baltimore Sun, August 15, 2007.
- Maryland's wide receivers are plenty good, not deep, The Washington Post, December 25, 2006.
- Fallout from Bossard's firing, The Washington Times, December 30, 2007.
- Williams comes full-circle, Rivals.comRivals.comRivals.com is a network of websites that focus mainly on college football and basketball recruiting. The network was started in 1996 and currently employs more than 300 personnel.-Schools:The individual collegiate sites can be found...
, October 4, 2007.