A former Clemson blue-chip recruit who battled injuries for years before finding a healthy final season at Indiana and a CFP national title.
E.J. Williams Jr. arrived at Clemson as a heavily recruited prospect and endured a string of injuries before transferring to Indiana, where he helped the Hoosiers to a College Football Playoff national championship in 2025. He signed with the Raiders as an undrafted free agent in 2026.
Path to the league
Williams starred at Central High School in Phenix City, Alabama, catching 84 passes for 1,407 yards and 19 touchdowns over his final two seasons and playing in the Under Armour All-America Game. He fielded offers from Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, LSU and Tennessee before committing to Clemson, where he changed his jersey number to 39 in honor of his late father, a U.S. Army sergeant first class. Injuries, including a thumb injury and knee surgery, limited him at Clemson, and he transferred to Indiana in 2023.
Career highlights
Williams caught a touchdown in Clemson's 2020 ACC Championship win over Notre Dame as a true freshman. After moving to Indiana, he battled hand and hamstring injuries before a healthy 2025 season that culminated in Indiana's run to the College Football Playoff national championship, giving him a CFP title to close out his college career.
2025 season recap
Williams appeared in 14 games with 10 starts for Indiana in 2025, posting his first career 100-yard receiving game against UCLA with two touchdowns on five catches. He also caught touchdowns against Kennesaw State, Illinois and Michigan State as Indiana rolled to a national championship. He went undrafted in the 2026 NFL Draft and signed with the Las Vegas Raiders.
Sources
- Wikipedia: E.J. Williams Jr.
- ESPN: E.J. Williams Jr.
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Wide Receiver
- Group
- offense
- College
- Indiana
- Hometown
- Phenix City, AL, USA
- Age
- 24
- Status
- active
