UC Football Alum Williams Called Up to Main Roster for Texans

University of the Cumberlands football has made its mark on the country for a number of years. Numerous players have earned high honors while the team has made a plethora of appearances in the NAIA Football Championship Series. Now, one Patriot has made the climb all the way to the 53 man roster in the NFL.

Patriot alumnus Wendall Williams was signed as an undrafted free agent with the Houston Texans back in May. After going through fall camp with the Texans, he was cut on the final day of roster cuts, sending him into free agency. After trying out for multiple teams including the Tennessee Titans, New England Patriots and Chicago Bears, Williams was signed to the New York Jets’ practice squad. After a short stint there, he was released again back to free agency.

Williams resigned with the Texans’ practice squad back on November 9th and has stayed with the team since. Injuries have plagued the Texans this season, especially at wide receiver, and now Williams, who has shown great agility throughout his time in college and with the Texans, has his chance on the active roster as he replaces Braxton Miller who was just placed on the injured reserve list.

Wendall’s career at UC was nothing short of fantastic. As a junior, Williams had 16 catches for 326 yards and three touchdowns and 112 rushing yards and one touchdown. That same year, he was also a NAIA All-American for the Patriots’ Track and Field team in the 100 meter dash, the 200 meter dash, and the 2015 NAIA National Champion in the long jump.

During his senior season, Williams had 15 catches for 457 yards and eight touchdowns as a receiver. He coupled that with 204 rushing yards and three touchdowns, returned one punt for a touchdown, and returned three kickoffs for touchdowns. Two of those kick return touchdowns came against NCAA Division II Carson-Newman where he set a new NAIA record for kick return yards in a single game (287 yards on 5 returns) and tied the record for kick return touchdowns in a single game.

Williams will wear number 82 for the Texans as he makes his roster debut on Sunday, December 18th as Houston hosts the Jacksonville Jaguars. Kickoff is set for 1 pm eastern time as the game will be broadcasted on CBS.

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Story courtesy of UC Multimedia/Athletic Services