Rodney Williams II Bio
Rodney Williams II is an American professional football tight end who played college football for the UT Martin Skyhawks. He entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent signing with the Denver Broncos in 2022. After a brief stint with the Broncos, Williams joined the Pittsburgh Steelers organization where he spent portions of the 2022, 2023, and 2024 seasons on their practice squad and active roster. Williams showcased significant potential throughout his collegiate career at UT Martin, accumulating impressive receiving statistics across five seasons before beginning his professional career.
Early Life and Background
Williams was born on April 8, 1998, in Memphis, Tennessee. He attended Germantown High School in Tennessee where he excelled as a multi-sport athlete, competing in football, basketball, and track and field. During his high school football career, Williams earned all-metro and all-district selections. Beyond football, he demonstrated his athletic versatility by winning both the regional and state championship in high jumping. His outstanding high school performance led him to commit to play college football at the University of Tennessee at Martin.
Path to the NFL
Williams began his collegiate career at UT Martin as a wide receiver. He appeared in eight games as a true freshman in 2016, recording four receptions for 78 yards. He continued to develop his skills over the next two seasons, appearing in 10 games in 2017 with four catches for 32 yards before posting 23 receptions for 252 yards in 2018 while earning his first starting opportunities. A redshirt season followed in 2019 after he appeared in four games with nine catches for 111 yards due to injury.
Prior to his final season, Williams made a significant position transition, switching from wide receiver to tight end. This move proved beneficial as he prepared for the professional level. He completed his college career at UT Martin having appeared in 99 games, ranking ninth in school history for receptions while accumulating 1,217 receiving yards and seven touchdowns.
Rodney Williams II Career
Professional Debut and Denver Broncos (2022)
After going unselected in the 2022 NFL Draft, Williams signed with the Denver Broncos as an undrafted free agent. He competed for a roster spot during training camp but was waived on August 16, 2022, before the regular season began. This initial professional experience provided valuable exposure to NFL-level competition and coaching despite the brief tenure.
Pittsburgh Steelers Breakthrough (2022–2024)
Williams joined the Pittsburgh Steelers organization on September 13, 2022, when he was signed to their practice squad. He demonstrated continued development throughout the season and signed a reserve/future contract on January 10, 2023, securing his place with the organization heading into the 2023 season. During the 2023 offseason, Williams was waived on August 29 but was re-signed to the practice squad the following day, maintaining his connection to the team.
His persistence paid off when he was promoted to the Steelers active roster on October 4, 2023, following an injury to starting tight end Pat Freiermuth. This promotion represented a significant milestone in his professional career, earning him a spot on the 53-man roster. During Week 5 of the 2023 season against the Baltimore Ravens, Williams nearly recovered a punt blocked by teammate Miles Killebrew that rolled through the end zone, nearly resulting in a safety that would have helped the Steelers secure a 17–10 victory.
The 2024 season saw Williams continue his journeyman path with the Steelers organization. He was waived on August 27, 2024, and re-signed to the practice squad before earning another promotion to the active roster on September 18. He was subsequently waived on November 5, 2024.
Notable Events and Milestones
Williams’ most notable professional moment came during his Week 5 performance against the Baltimore Ravens in the 2023 season when his nearly successful punt recovery in the end zone could have shifted the momentum of a close game. His journey from undrafted free agent to active roster player with the Steelers demonstrated his resilience and ability to contribute when opportunities arose due to injuries at the tight end position.
Rodney Williams II Career Statistics
Williams compiled his collegiate receiving statistics across five seasons at UT Martin, ranking among the school’s all-time leaders at the conclusion of his college career. His professional statistics reflect his role as a depth player on special teams and offense.
College Career Highlights
Williams finished his UT Martin career ninth in school history with 99 receptions, accumulating 1,217 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. His transition from wide receiver to tight end for his final two seasons proved successful, with his 2020–21 campaign standing out as he earned second-team FCS All-American honors after recording 30 catches for 327 yards and four touchdowns. He was also a second-team all-conference selection in the fall 2021 season, his final year, posting 29 receptions for 417 yards and three touchdowns.
Professional Career Statistics
According to career NFL statistics as of Week 2 of the 2024 season, Williams recorded six total tackles. These statistics reflect his contributions on special teams and defense during his time with the Pittsburgh Steelers organization.
2025 Season Outlook
Following his departure from the Pittsburgh Steelers in November 2024, Williams enters the 2025 season as a free agent. His experience with two NFL organizations and his demonstrated ability to contribute on special teams provide him with a foundation for continued professional opportunities. At 26 years old, Williams possesses the youth and athletic profile that could interest teams seeking depth at the tight end position. His collegiate production, particularly during his All-American season at UT Martin, combined with his professional experience, suggests he remains a viable candidate for training camp opportunities as teams evaluate their roster compositions heading into the 2025 season.