Avery Williamson

BIOGRAPHY

Avery Milton Williamson was born on March 9, 1992, in Cleveland, Ohio. He is a linebacker for the New York Jets of the National Football League. He played college football at Kentucky.

He attended Milan high school; he was First-team all-state linebacker in Class AAA as tabbed by the Tennessee Sports Writers Association and West Tennessee Player of the Year as a senior by the Jackson Sun. He led Milan HS to consecutive 14-1 records as a junior and senior and Made 125 tackles with one interception during the regular season in his senior year; also rushed for 416 yards and seven touchdowns at fullback.

He played college football at the University of Kentucky; in 2010 as a freshman he played in all 13 games, helping give the Wildcats depth at middle linebacker. He Totaled ten tackles and one pass breakup.

In 2011 he played in all 12 games and made 49 tackles, an impressive total for someone who didn't start any games. In 2012 he started all 12 games; he finishing second in the SEC with 135 tackles. He Placed seventh nationally in total tackles and second-team All-SEC by CollegeSportsMadness.com and third-team all-league by Phil Steele's College Football.

In 2013 he recorded 102 tackles, including four for loss, one sack, and two fumble recoveries, and was named a second-team All-SEC selection. The Tennessee Titans selected Williamson in the fifth round (151st overall) of the 2014 NFL Draft. May 21, 2014, the Tennessee Titans signed Williamson to a four-year contract.

He finished his rookie season in 2014 with 79 combined tackles (51 solo), four pass deflections, and three sacks in 16 games and 12 starts. In the 2015 season, he finished with a total of 102 combined tackles (63 solo), 3.5 sacks, a pass deflection, and an interception in 15 games and 15 starts.

Williamson finished the 2016 season with a career-high 104 combined tackles (73 solo), two sacks, a pass deflection, and an interception in 16 games and 16 starts. In 2017 he finished his fourth season with 92 combined tackles (52 solo), three sacks, and two pass breakups in 16 games and 16 starts.

On March 18, 2018, the New York Jets signed Williamson to a three-year contract; he started in all 16 games in 2018 and recorded a career-high 120 combined tackles (80 solo), six pass deflections, three sacks, and one interception.