Avery Williams Bio
Avery Williams (born July 15, 1998) is an American professional football running back and return specialist who currently plays in the National Football League. He played college football for the Boise State Broncos from 2016 to 2020 and was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Williams has built his professional career as a versatile special teams player and offensive weapon, contributing as both a rusher and returner throughout his NFL journey.
Early Life and Background
Avery Williams was born to Pam Veasey and Marvin Williams on July 15, 1998, in Pasadena, California. He is of Mexican descent through his grandmother. Williams grew up in Pasadena and originally attended Saint Francis High School before transferring to JSerra Catholic High School for his senior year. At JSerra Catholic, Williams excelled as a dual-threat athlete, playing both running back and defensive back.
During his senior season, Williams earned Trinity League co-Most Valuable Player honors after rushing for 1,175 yards and 14 touchdowns on offense while also receiving All-Area recognition as a defensive back. Despite his impressive high school production, Williams received no scholarship offers from college programs. He ultimately enrolled at Boise State University, joining the team as a preferred walk-on in 2016.
Path to American Football
Williams redshirted his true freshman season at Boise State in 2016. During his redshirt year, he was named the Special Teams Scout Team Player of the Year, demonstrating his dedication and ability to contribute on special teams units. His performance in practice earned him a scholarship, which was awarded during fall preseason training camp in 2017.
As a redshirt freshman in 2017, Williams became the Broncos primary punt and kick returner while also starting at cornerback on defense. He recorded two interceptions and eight passes broken up during the season and returned two punts for touchdowns. His exceptional work as a return specialist earned him second-team All-Mountain West Conference honors. This marked the beginning of Williams establishing himself as one of the premier return specialists in college football.
Avery Williams Career
Boise State Broncos (2016–2020)
Williams continued to develop as both a defensive back and return specialist during his sophomore season in 2018. He recorded 49 tackles with 11 passes defended, two interceptions, and three forced fumbles while also returning a kickoff for a touchdown. His strong performance earned him honorable mention All-Mountain West recognition. Williams followed this with another solid season in 2019, recording 39 tackles with four passes broken up and returning 22 punts for 290 yards and two touchdowns, again earning honorable mention All-Mountain West honors.
As a senior in 2020, Williams delivered a career-defining season. He returned 19 kickoffs for 533 yards and two touchdowns along with 15 punts for 229 yards and two touchdowns. His nine career return touchdowns tied the NCAA Division I career record at that time. Williams was named first-team All-Mountain West and earned Conference Special Teams Player of the Year honors. His outstanding all-purpose performance made him a consensus first-team All-American selection. He also won the Jet Award, given annually to the nation’s top return specialist.
Atlanta Falcons Era (2021–2024)
Williams was selected by the Atlanta Falcons with the 183rd overall pick in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL Draft. He signed his four-year rookie contract with the team on June 15, 2021. During his rookie season, Williams served as the Falcons primary kick and punt returner while also contributing as a core special teams player and gunner on coverage units.
In the 2022 offseason, the Falcons made a position change for Williams, moving him from cornerback to running back. This transition allowed the team to utilize his elusiveness and ball-carrying skills that he had not showcased since his high school days. The move proved beneficial as Williams provided versatility in both the running game and as a receiver out of the backfield.
Unfortunately, Williams suffered a significant injury on June 7, 2023, when he tore his ACL during organized team activities. Head coach Arthur Smith announced the injury, which would cause Williams to miss the entire 2023 season. He was placed on injured reserve on June 16, 2023, ending his third season with the Falcons before it began.
Philadelphia Eagles and New York Jets (2025)
Following his recovery from the ACL injury and the conclusion of his tenure with the Falcons in 2024, Williams signed with the Philadelphia Eagles on March 15, 2025. The one-year contract represented an opportunity for Williams to compete for a roster spot with a new organization. However, he was released on August 26, 2025, as part of the Eagles final roster cuts.
Shortly after his release, Williams joined the New York Jets practice squad on October 3, 2025. He spent time with the Jets developing within their system before being released on October 14, 2025. Williams continued to pursue opportunities in the NFL following this stint.
Driving Style and Strengths
Williams is known for his exceptional elusiveness and ability to make defenders miss in open space. His quick acceleration and change-of-direction skills make him particularly effective as a return specialist where his vision and patience allow him to find running lanes. As a running back, Williams brings soft hands as a receiver out of the backfield and is a reliable pass protector when called upon. His experience playing cornerback in college contributes to his football IQ and understanding of defensive coverages.
Notable Events and Milestones
Williams tied the NCAA Division I career record with nine return touchdowns during his senior season at Boise State, a testament to his consistency and excellence as a special teams player. His 2020 season at Boise State stands as the pinnacle of his collegiate career, earning him unanimous All-American honors and establishing him as one of the most dangerous return men in college football history. In the NFL, his ACL injury during the 2023 offseason represented a significant setback, but his resilience in returning to play demonstrated his dedication to the sport.
Avery Williams Career Wins
Throughout his collegiate and professional career, Williams has accumulated impressive statistics as a return specialist and offensive player. His collegiate career was highlighted by numerous conference honors and national recognition for his special teams contributions.
College Football Highlights
Williams total career return statistics at Boise State established him among the elite return specialists in college football history. His nine career return touchdowns tied an NCAA Division I record at the time of his graduation. During his senior season in 2020, Williams earned the Jet Award as the nations top return specialist. He was named the Mountain West Conference Special Teams Player of the Year in both 2019 and 2020 and was a consensus first-team All-American in 2020. Williams also earned second-team All-Mountain West honors in 2017 as a redshirt freshman.
NFL Career Statistics
Through his first four NFL seasons from 2021 to 2024, Williams recorded 109 rushing yards on 22 carries for a 5.0-yard average. He added 13 receptions for 61 receiving yards as a receiver out of the backfield. Williams most significant contributions came as a return specialist with 1,841 career return yards. He scored one total touchdown during his NFL career. As a core special teams player, Williams contributed consistently on coverage units throughout his professional career.
Avery Williams Family
Family Background and Heritage
Avery Williams was born to Marvin Williams and Pam Veasey in Pasadena, California. He is of Mexican descent through his maternal grandmother. Williams grew up in the Pasadena area where he developed his passion for football at a young age. His family supported his athletic pursuits throughout his journey from high school walk-on to NFL player.
Personal Life
Williams attended JSerra Catholic High School in San Juan Capistrano, California, before his successful college career at Boise State. He maintains an active presence on social media with his official accounts. Williams has shown resilience throughout his career, overcoming the adversity of a major ACL injury in 2023 and continuing to pursue opportunities in the NFL.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented a year of transition for Williams in the NFL. After four seasons with the Atlanta Falcons from 2021 to 2024, he signed with the Philadelphia Eagles in March 2025 seeking a fresh start with a new organization. Williams competed for a roster spot during training camp and the preseason but was released during final roster cuts in late August.
Following his release from the Eagles, Williams joined the New York Jets practice squad in October 2025. He spent approximately two weeks with the Jets before being released. The 2025 season demonstrated the challenges facing veteran players trying to establish themselves on NFL rosters. Williams continued to work toward securing a permanent spot on an NFL roster while showcasing his versatility as both a runner and return specialist during his brief appearances with the Jets.