Sylvester Williams (American football)

Sylvester Williams (born November 21, 1988) is an American football defensive tackle for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL). Williams played college football for the University of North Carolina and earned All-American honors. He was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft.

Early years
Williams was born in St Louis, Missouri, into a family with three older sisters and one younger brother. He attended Jefferson City High School, and played football for only one season in high school, and started only one game. Not being recruited by college programs, he assembled radiator parts for 18-wheelers before deciding to walk-on at Coffeyville Community College. He had 52 tackles and two sacks in 2010.

College career
Williams enrolled in the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2011, and played for the North Carolina Tar Heels football team in 2011 and 2012. As a junior in 2011, he had 43 tackles and 2.5 sacks. The following season, Williams was named to the All-ACC first team. He was also named an All-American by Pro Football Weekly.

NFL Draft
Williams was selected in the first round, with the 28th overall pick, of the 2013 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos.