Garrett Williams Bio
Garrett Alexander Williams is an American professional football cornerback for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Syracuse Orange and was drafted by the Cardinals in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Williams has established himself as a productive defensive player in the NFL, known for his coverage skills and ability to create turnovers. His professional career has shown promise despite challenges with injuries that have periodically interrupted his playing time.
Early Life and Background
Garrett Alexander Williams was born on June 1, 2001, in Charlotte, North Carolina. He attended Hickory Ridge High School in Harrisburg, North Carolina, where he developed his skills as a football player. Williams was rated a three-star recruit coming out of high school, which reflected his status as a solid collegiate prospect.
His performance in high school attracted attention from college programs, leading him to commit to play college football at Syracuse University. This decision marked the beginning of his journey toward becoming a professional athlete in the NFL.
Path to Professional Football
Williams arrived at Syracuse University in 2019 and immediately began his collegiate career. He appeared in three games as a true freshman before utilizing his redshirt to preserve that season of eligibility. This patient approach allowed him to develop and adapt to the collegiate level of competition.
Going into his redshirt freshman season, Williams earned a starting role on the team. His performance that year was exceptional, as he made 64 tackles with a conference-leading 12 passes defended and two interceptions. These achievements earned him honorable mention All-Atlantic Coast Conference honors and a spot on The Athletic’s Freshman All-American team. This breakthrough season established him as one of the conference’s top defensive backs.
Garrett Williams Career
College Career (2019–2022)
Williams continued his strong play into his sophomore season in 2021. He again led the Atlantic Coast Conference with ten passes broken up and recorded 52 tackles along with five tackles for loss. His consistency in creating turnovers and disrupting opposing passing attacks made him a cornerstone of the Syracuse defense.
By his senior season in 2022, Williams had earned the respect of his teammates and coaches, being elected as a team captain. Through seven games that season, he made 36 tackles, recorded three total turnovers, and added one sack. Over his four years at Syracuse, Williams played in 32 games and made 152 tackles with four interceptions. One of his most memorable collegiate moments came when he returned an interception for a touchdown against Trevor Lawrence at Clemson, his only career pick-six.
Rookie Season (2023)
The Arizona Cardinals selected Williams with the 72nd overall pick in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft, fulfilling his dream of reaching the professional level. However, his rookie season began with challenges as he started the year on the reserve/non-football injury list while recovering from a torn anterior cruciate ligament suffered during his college career. He was activated from injured reserve on October 21, 2023.
Upon joining the active roster, Williams quickly demonstrated his abilities. He appeared in nine games as a rookie with six starts, finishing the season with 23 total tackles including 19 solo tackles, one interception, and two passes defended. His performance showed the skills that made him a high draft pick.
Second Season with Cardinals (2024)
Williams entered the 2024 season with a full offseason to prepare and compete for a starting role. He took advantage of this opportunity, appearing in 16 games with 11 starts for Arizona. His second season showed significant statistical improvement as he compiled two interceptions, nine pass deflections, one forced fumble, and 58 combined tackles. The increased playing time and production demonstrated his growth as an NFL cornerback.
Garrett Williams Career Statistics
Williams has compiled solid defensive statistics through his first two NFL seasons, establishing himself as a reliable member of the Cardinals secondary with consistent turnover-creating ability.
NFL Career Highlights
Through the 2024 season, Williams has appeared in 25 career games with 17 starts for the Arizona Cardinals. He has recorded 127 total tackles, 4 interceptions, 16 pass deflections, and 2 forced fumbles. His rookie interception provided an early highlight, and his ability to force turnovers has been a consistent part of his game since entering the league.
Defensive Statistics
Williams has demonstrated versatility in his defensive contributions, showing the ability to make plays in coverage as well as against the run. His 16 career pass deflections reflect his comfort in blanket coverage, while his 4 interceptions and 2 forced fumbles highlight his playmaking instincts. His tackle numbers have increased each season as he has taken on a larger role in the defensive scheme.
| Season | Team | Games | Starts | Tackles | Interceptions | Pass Deflections | Forced Fumbles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Arizona Cardinals | 9 | 6 | 23 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| 2024 | Arizona Cardinals | 16 | 11 | 58 | 2 | 9 | 1 |
Career Totals
Williams has appeared in 25 games across his first two professional seasons, accumulating 127 total tackles, 4 interceptions, 16 pass deflections, and 2 forced fumbles. His tackle and turnover numbers show consistent improvement from his rookie to his second season, indicating his development trajectory in the NFL.
Garrett Williams Playing Style
Defensive Strengths
Williams is known for his physical style of play and his exceptional ball skills in coverage. His college career demonstrated his ability to shadow opposing receivers and break up passes, leading the Atlantic Coast Conference in passes defended during his redshirt freshman season. He shows good instincts for locating the football and creating turnovers, as evidenced by his 4 career interceptions in just two seasons. His ability to contribute against both the pass and the run makes him a versatile asset in the secondary.
Notable Moments
Among Williams’ most memorable plays was his pick-six interception return for a touchdown against Trevor Lawrence during his time at Clemson. This play showcased his ability to read the quarterback’s intentions and turn takeaways into points. His interception as a rookie in the NFL provided an early highlight of his professional career, and his consistent ability to break up passes has made him a trusted member of the Cardinals defensive backfield.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season presented significant challenges for Williams due to multiple injuries. On September 17, 2025, he was placed on injured reserve after suffering a knee injury during the team’s Week 2 victory over the Carolina Panthers. He was activated on November 3 ahead of the team’s Week 9 matchup. Upon returning, Williams appeared in 10 starts and recorded one interception, five pass deflections, one forced fumble, and 46 combined tackles before the season took another difficult turn.
On December 22, Williams suffered an Achilles injury during Week 16 against the Atlanta Falcons and was placed on season-ending injured reserve two days later. Subsequent examinations revealed he had torn his Achilles tendon. Despite these setbacks, Williams showed resilience throughout the season, contributing 46 tackles, one interception, and five pass deflections in his 10 starts. The injuries created opportunities for other players but underscored the adversity Williams faced during the campaign.