Mike Williams (wide receiver, born 1994) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Mike Williams

Williams with Los Angeles Chargers in 2021
No. 18 – Pittsburgh Steelers
Position:	Wide receiver
Personal information
Born:	(1994-10-04) October 4, 1994 (age 30) Holly Hill, South Carolina, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight:	218 lb (99 kg)
Career information
High school:	Lake Marion (Santee, South Carolina)
College:	Clemson (2013–2016)
NFL Draft:	2017 / Round: 1 / Pick: 7
Career history
Los Angeles Chargers (2017–2023) New York Jets (2024) Pittsburgh Steelers (2024–present)
Roster status:	Active
Career highlights and awards
CFP national champion (2016) First-team All-ACC (2016) Second-team All-ACC (2014)
Career NFL statistics as of 2024
Receptions: 330 Receiving yards: 5,104 Receiving touchdowns: 32
Player stats at PFR

Michael K. Williams (born October 4, 1994) is an American professional football player. He plays as a wide receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the National Football League (NFL). Before joining the NFL, he played college football for the Clemson Tigers. The Los Angeles Chargers picked him seventh overall in the 2017 NFL draft.

Early Life and High School Football

Mike Williams grew up in Santee, South Carolina. He went to Lake Marion High School & Technology Center. There, he played on the school's football team. He was a very talented player in high school.

As a junior, he caught 66 passes for 1,296 yards. He also scored 11 touchdowns. In his senior year, he had 60 catches for 1,395 yards and 10 touchdowns. Experts like Rivals.com saw him as a top player. He decided to play college football at Clemson University.

College Career at Clemson

Williams playing for Clemson in 2015

Williams started his college career strong in 2013. As a first-year student, he played in all 13 games. He caught 20 passes for 316 yards and three touchdowns. In 2014, his second year, he became a regular starter. He finished that year with 57 catches for 1,030 yards and six touchdowns.

Injury and Return in College

In 2015, Williams faced a big challenge. In the very first game, he broke a bone in his neck. This happened when he collided with the goal post after catching a touchdown pass. He had to miss the rest of that season. He was given a "redshirt" year, meaning he could play an extra year of college football later.

He came back in 2016 as a redshirt junior. Williams started all 15 games for Clemson. He led his team with 98 catches, 1,361 yards, and 11 touchdowns. He scored touchdowns in 9 different games. This included three against rival South Carolina. He also had over 100 receiving yards in five games.

National Championship Victory

In the National Championship Game, Clemson played against Alabama. Williams caught eight passes for 94 yards and one touchdown. Clemson won the championship 35–31. Right after this big win, Williams decided to leave college early. He chose to enter the 2017 NFL draft. He had already earned his bachelor's degree in sociology in December 2016.

Professional Football Career

Before the NFL draft, many experts thought Williams was a top player. They expected him to be picked in the first round. He showed off his skills at the NFL Combine and Clemson's Pro Day. He was ranked as one of the best wide receivers in the draft.

Los Angeles Chargers (2017–2023)

The Los Angeles Chargers picked Mike Williams as the seventh overall player in the 2017 NFL draft. He was the second wide receiver chosen that year. In May 2017, the Chargers signed him to a four-year contract worth nearly $20 million.

Rookie Season (2017)

Williams had a tough start to his rookie year. He missed training camp due to a back injury. He also missed the first six games of the regular season. He made his NFL debut in Week 6. His first catch was a 15-yard pass from quarterback Philip Rivers. He finished his first season with 11 catches for 95 yards in ten games.

Breakout Season (2018)

In 2018, Williams started to shine. He scored his first professional touchdown in Week 2. In Week 15, he had his best game against the Kansas City Chiefs. He caught seven passes for 76 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran for a touchdown. He even caught a two-point conversion that helped the Chargers win 29–28. For this great game, he was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week. He ended the 2018 season with 43 catches, 664 yards, and ten receiving touchdowns.

Leading the League in 2019

In 2019, Williams continued to play well. He had his first 100-yard receiving game of the season in Week 9. He finished the year with 49 catches for 1,001 receiving yards. He also had two receiving touchdowns. Williams led the entire NFL in yards per reception that season, averaging 20.4 yards per catch.

Continued Success (2020-2021)

The Chargers kept Williams by using a special contract option in 2020. He had several strong games, including one with 109 yards and two touchdowns against the New Orleans Saints. In 2021, he had a fantastic season. He set new personal bests with 76 catches, 1,146 yards, and nine touchdowns. He worked very well with quarterback Justin Herbert. In March 2022, Williams signed a new three-year, $60 million contract with the Chargers.

Injuries in Later Seasons (2022-2023)

In 2022, Williams continued to be a key player. He had several games with over 100 receiving yards. However, he suffered a back injury late in the season. This injury kept him out of the team's playoff game. He finished 2022 with 63 catches for 895 yards and four touchdowns.

His 2023 season was cut short. In Week 3, he tore a ligament in his knee (ACL tear). This injury meant he missed the rest of the season. He had 19 catches for 249 yards and one touchdown before his injury. The Chargers released him in March 2024.

New York Jets (2024)

In March 2024, Williams signed a one-year contract with the New York Jets. He played in nine games for the Jets. He had 12 catches for 166 yards.

Pittsburgh Steelers (2024–present)

On November 5, 2024, the Jets traded Williams to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Just five days later, he played in a game for the Steelers. He caught a 32-yard game-winning touchdown pass late in the fourth quarter. This helped the Steelers win 28–27 against the Washington Commanders.

NFL Career Statistics

Regular Season Stats

Postseason Stats