P.J. Williams

BIOGRAPHY

P. J. Williams was born June 1, 1993, in Ocala, Florida. He is a free safety in the NFL. He played college football at Florida State. He was the Defensive MVP of the 2014 BCS National Championship Game. Williams attended Vanguard High School in Ocala, Florida. He played cornerback and wide receiver. In addition to football, he was also a sprinter for the track team. He ran a career-best time of 10.68 seconds in the 100 meters at the prelims of the 2011 FHSAA 3A District 5 Championships.

As a true freshman in 2012, Williams played in 14 games recording 14 tackles. As a sophomore in 2013, Williams made 35 tackles, had three interceptions and scored a touchdown. He was the Defensive MVP of the 2014 BCS National Championship Game after recording seven tackles and an interception. As a junior in 2014, Williams had 74 tackles, one interception and one sack.

The New Orleans Saints selected Williams in the third round (78th overall) of the 2015 NFL Draft. The pick used to select Williams originally was acquired from the Miami Dolphins along with Dannell Ellerbe in exchange for Kenny Stills. On May 12, 2015, the New Orleans Saints signed Williams to a four-year, $3.06 million contract and includes a signing bonus of $706,619. He competed for the starting nickelback job against Damian Swann and received snaps at outside corner while Keenan Lewis was out with an injury. Head coach Sean Payton named Williams the starting cornerback.

He made his professional regular season debut and first career start in the New Orleans Saints' season-opener against the Oakland Raiders and recorded five combined tackles and a pass deflection. Williams finished the game against the New York Giants with two solo tackles and a pass deflection. He finished the 2016 season with seven combined tackles (five solo) and two pass deflections in two games and two starts.

In 2017, Williams started the New Orleans Saints' season-opener at the Minnesota Vikings and recorded eight combined tackles. The following week, he recorded a season-high ten combined tackles and a pass deflection in the Saints' game against the New England Patriots. On September 24, 2017, Williams made three combined tackles, deflected a pass, and made his first career interception off a pass attempt by Cam Newton in New Orleans' 34-13 victory. In Week 9, Williams recorded two combined tackles and deflected a pass during a 30-10 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. On November 26, 2017, he made three solo tackles, three pass deflections, and intercepted Jared Goff of the Los Angeles Rams. Williams finished the 2017 season with 47 combined tackles (34 solo), nine pass deflections, and two interceptions in 16 games and six starts.

The New Orleans Saints finished the season first in the NFC South with an 11-5 record and received a wildcard playoff berth. On January 7, 2018, Williams played in his first playoff game and recorded a tackle and a pass deflection during the Saints' 31-26 victory over the Carolina Panthers in the NFC Wildcard game. The following week, he recorded four combined tackles and defended a pass.

In week 8 of 2018, Williams intercepted a pass from quarterback Kirk Cousins and returned it 45 yards for the touchdown in a 30-20 win over the Minnesota Vikings, earning him NFC Defensive Player of the Week. On April 2, 2019, Williams re-signed with the Saints.