Jason Williams (American football)

Jason X. Williams (born April 23, 1986) is an American football linebacker. He was drafted by the Cowboys in the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft. He played college football at Western Illinois.

Williams ended his career at Western Illinois by setting a FCS record and tied the NCAA all-division record of 14 career forced fumbles, while at Western Illinois.

High school career
Williams was born in Chicago, Illinois and attended DuSable High School, where he helped lead his team to an undefeated record in the Chicago Public League’s Intra-City Central Conference. He rushed for 2,988 yards, threw for 3,015 and recorded 71 total touchdowns (35 rushing and 36 passing) in his career and was a two-time All-City and All-Section selection.

College career
Williams then attended Western Illinois University where he majored in Exercise science and was a member of Delta Upsilon Fraternity. As a true freshman in 2004 he redshirt. In 2005, he played in 10 of 11 games and recorded 23 tackles (14 solo). He also started the final two games of the season at strong safety. As a sophomore in 2006, he started all 11 games at linebacker, the only one to do so that season. He recorded 92 tackles, three sacks, three forced fumbles, one interception. He also earned All-Gateway Conference honorable mention and earned the team’s Green Beret award for his significant contributions to the kicking game.

As a junior in 2007, Williams recorded 107 tackles, eight sacks and five forced fumbles, all of which led the Gateway Conference. The five forced fumbles tied a school record, while ranking fifth in the nation. He was also named to the AFCA All-America Team, the Associated Press All-America Second-team and The Sports Network All-America Second-team, as well as being a First-team All-Gateway selection, while ranking among the nation’s top 50 defensive players in tackles for loss, total tackles and sacks. He was also a runner-up for the Gateway Defensive Player of the Year Award. He was also named the team’s defensive MVP at the teams annual awards banquet.

As a senior in 2008, Williams was named to Lindy's pre-season All-America First-team and the Consensus Draft Services All-America Second-team. He was also one of three linebacks named to The Sporting News' pre-season FCS All-America team. He was also named to Phil Steele's pre-season All-America First-team. For the season, Williams recorded 67 tackles (39 solo), 14.5 tackles-for-losses and led the nation with a school-record six forced fumbles. He finished fourth in the Buck Buchanan award voting. He was also named to the Associated Press All-America First-team, the Sports Network All-America First-team and the College Sporting News All-Ameerica team. He also became the first player in school history to earn repeated AFCA All-America honors, he was also named the team's Defensive MVP and played in the East-West Shrine Game.

Williams ended his career by setting a FCS record and tied the NCAA all-division record of 14 career forced fumbles. While at Western Illinois, he recorded a career total of 289 tackles, 15.0 sacks, 45 tackles-for-loss, 14 forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, 12 pass breakups, one interception and a blocked kick while starting 35-of-43 games.

Pre-draft
Williams was not invited to participate at the 2009 NFL Scouting Combine, however he did take part in Northwestern University's Pro Day.

Dallas Cowboys
Williams was selected in the third round (69th overall) of the 2009 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys, the team's first overall selection in that year's draft. He signed with the team on July 29. On September 2 it was reported that he would miss four to six weeks with a sprained ankle.

On November 2, 2010, Williams was cut by the Cowboys.

Carolina Panthers
Williams played 2 seasons for Carolina and was released during final cuts in August 2012.

Philadelphia Eagles
Williams was signed by Philadelphia on October 9, 2012.