Jeff Williams

Class:
Sophomore
Hometown:
Freeport, N.Y.
Position:
Linebacker
Height:
6-2
Weight:
200
High School:
Freeport
Major:
Exercise Science

At Delaware: Second-year sophomore and one of the nation's top young linebackers • pre-season third team All-American by Phil Steele College Football Magazine • named to College Football Performance Awards Watch List as one of the top 32 linebackers in the nation at the FCS level • coming off an exceptional season in which he earned a host of awards as one of the top freshman defenders not only in the Colonial Athletic Association, but in the East, and the NCAA • will be a second-year starter at outside linebacker (Sam) • talented, athletic player whose quickness allows him to be an effective blitzer and to cover running backs and wide receivers on pass plays • has good coverage skills on special teams • did not see action in spring drills due to an injury • switched number from 57 to 7 in pre-season • serves as one of 16 members of the UD football team's Leadership Council.

2012 Season: Enjoyed an improbable redshirt freshman season in which he was not even expected to start at outside linebacker, but became one of the nation's top newcomers • broke into starting lineup late in pre-season due to injuries and went on to post impressive numbers and receive lofty praise • earned a host of post-season honors, including College Sports Madness National FCS Defensive Rookie of the Year, College Sports Journal FCS Freshman All-American, Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Eastern Defensive Rookie of the Year, Colonial Athletic Association Defensive Rookie of the Year, and third team All-CAA • was also a finalist for the Jerry Rice Award as the top freshman in the nation at the FCS level and finished 12th in the voting • played and started in 10 games and ranked fifth on the team in tackles with 61 (36 solo) • led the team with 14 tackles for loss for 83 yards and in quarterback sacks with 6.5 for 61 yards • also had three pass breakups, forced a fumble, and recovered a fumble • led the CAA in both sacks and tackles for loss and ranked 18th in the NCAA in tackles for loss and No. 29 in sacks • led all NCAA FCS freshmen in tackles for loss and was No. 2 in sacks • also ranked No. 2 among all linebackers in the nation in sacks • set UD single game freshman records for tackles for loss in a game (four vs. Rhode Island), tackles for loss in a season, and sacks in a season • recorded five or more tackles five times highlighted by a career-high 13 stops vs. Old Dominion • also had 11 tackles vs. Maine, seven vs. Towson, six vs. Rhode Island, and five against New Hampshire • posted two sacks each in consecutive games vs. Rhode Island and Old Dominion • recorded four tackles for losses of 20 yards vs. Rhode Island and had two tackles for loss each against New Hampshire and Old Dominion • forced a fumble against Delaware State and recovered a fumble against William & Mary • did not see action vs. Richmond due to an injury • team went 5-6 for head coach K.C. Keeler • recorded a tackle in 2012 Blue-White spring game in April • added 25 lbs. to his frame in the off-season.

2011 Season: Did not see action as a backup linebacker for the Blue Hens and retained freshman eligibility • team went 7-4 under Keeler.

High School: Played linebacker for head coach Russ Cellan at Freeport High School • earned first team all-conference, all-county, All-Long Island and All-State honors as a senior • also was named team Most Valuable Player and was named Defensive Most Valuable Player of the Long Island Championship game • led team to a record of 11-1 in 2010 • team captured both the county title and the Long Island title • led team to a three-year record of 31-5 with at least 10 wins each season • three-year standout who played linebacker, wide receiver, safety, tight end, and running back during his career • high school teammate of Rhode Island's Chris Edmond • honor roll student • also recruited by Maine, Albany, Stony Brook, Bryant, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island.

Personal: Jeff Anthony Williams • born Dec. 3, 1993 • son of Tonia Williams • oldest of three children • exercise science major at Delaware • would like to become a physical therapist • owns a pet scorpion.

Year	GP/GS	Tackles (Solo)	TFL-Yards	Sacks-Yards	PB	Int.	FR/FF
2012	10/9	61 (36)	14-83	6.5-61	3	0	1/1
Totals	10/9	61 (36)	14-83	6.5-61	3	0	1/1