Avery Williams (running back) facts for kids
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Williams with the Atlanta Falcons in 2022
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| No. 18 – Philadelphia Eagles | |||||||||||||
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| Position: | Running back Return specialist |
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| Personal information | |||||||||||||
| Born: | July 15, 1998 Pasadena, California, U.S. |
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| Height: | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) | ||||||||||||
| Weight: | 195 lb (88 kg) | ||||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||||
| High school: | JSerra Catholic (San Juan Capistrano, California) | ||||||||||||
| College: | Boise State (2016–2020) | ||||||||||||
| NFL Draft: | 2021 / Round: 5 / Pick: 183 | ||||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||||
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| Roster status: | Active | ||||||||||||
| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||||||
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| Career NFL statistics as of 2024 | |||||||||||||
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| Player stats at PFR | |||||||||||||
Avery Williams (born July 15, 1998) is an American professional football player. He plays as a running back and return specialist for the Philadelphia Eagles in the National Football League (NFL). Before joining the NFL, he played college football for the Boise State Broncos.
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Avery Williams' Early Life and High School Football
Avery Williams was born on July 15, 1998, in Pasadena, California. His parents are Pam Veasey and Marvin Williams. Avery also has Mexican heritage from his grandmother.
High School Football Journey
Avery first attended Saint Francis High School. Later, he moved to JSerra Catholic High School for his final year. In his senior year, Avery was a star player. He was named co-Most Valuable Player in the Trinity League. He ran for 1,175 yards and scored 14 touchdowns as a running back. He was also chosen as an All-Area defensive back.
Even with his great performance, Avery did not receive any scholarship offers for college football. He decided to join Boise State University as a "preferred walk-on." This means he joined the team without a scholarship, but the coaches wanted him there.
Avery Williams' College Football Career at Boise State
Avery Williams started his college football journey at Boise State as a walk-on player. He spent his first year as a "redshirt" player, meaning he practiced but did not play in games. This allowed him to gain experience without using up a year of eligibility.
Earning a Scholarship and Making an Impact
During his redshirt year, Avery was recognized as the Special Teams Scout Team Player of the Year. This award goes to players who help the main team practice by playing the role of the opposing team. Because of his hard work, he earned a scholarship in 2017.
In his first year playing, Avery became a key player for Boise State. He was the team's main punt and kick returner. He also started as a cornerback on defense. That season, he made two interceptions and broke up eight passes. He also scored two touchdowns by returning punts. His excellent play earned him a spot on the second-team All-Mountain West Conference.
Continued Success and All-American Honors
As a redshirt sophomore, Avery continued to shine. He made 49 tackles, defended 11 passes, and had two interceptions. He also forced three fumbles and returned a kickoff for a touchdown. He was again recognized as an honorable mention All-Mountain West player.
In his junior year, Avery had 39 tackles and broke up four passes. He also returned 22 punts for 290 yards, scoring two touchdowns. He was once more named honorable mention All-Mountain West.
His senior year was truly outstanding. Avery returned 19 kickoffs for 533 yards and two touchdowns. He also returned 15 punts for 229 yards and two touchdowns. With these returns, he tied an NCAA Division I record with nine career return touchdowns. He was named first-team All-Mountain West and the Conference Special Teams Player of the Year. He was also chosen as a consensus first-team All-American as an all-purpose player. This means he was recognized as one of the best players in the country.
Avery Williams' Professional Football Career
Avery Williams' impressive college career led him to the National Football League (NFL).
Atlanta Falcons (2021–2024)
The Atlanta Falcons selected Avery Williams in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL draft. He signed a four-year contract with the team on June 15, 2021. In his first year, Avery was the Falcons' main kick and punt returner. He was also a key player on special teams, helping to cover kicks and punts.
In 2022, the Falcons decided to move Avery back to playing running back. This was the position he played in high school.
Unfortunately, in June 2023, Avery suffered a serious injury. He tore his ACL during team activities. This injury meant he had to miss the entire 2023 season. He was placed on the injured reserve list on June 16, 2023.
Philadelphia Eagles (2025–present)
After his time with the Falcons, Avery Williams signed a one-year contract with the Philadelphia Eagles on March 15, 2025. He is currently playing for the Eagles.
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