A Memphis native and former Missouri team captain fighting to stick on Denver's defensive line after an injury-shortened rookie season.
Kristian Williams transferred from Oregon to Missouri, where he grew into a run-stopping team captain up front. He signed with Denver as an undrafted free agent in 2025, but a September injury settlement cut his rookie season short before he returned on a futures deal.
Path to the league
Williams played three seasons at Oregon from 2019 to 2021 before transferring to Missouri, where he became a full-time starter and was named a team captain ahead of the 2024 season. He started all 13 games that year, recording 30 tackles, two tackles for loss and a sack, and went undrafted in the 2025 NFL Draft before signing with the Denver Broncos.
Career highlights
Williams is known primarily as a run-stopping interior defensive lineman, a reputation built over his three seasons as a starter at Missouri that culminated in his team captaincy as a senior.
2025 season recap
Williams was waived from Denver's injured reserve with an injury settlement on September 8, 2025, ending his rookie season early. He returned to sign a reserve/futures contract with the Broncos on January 29, 2026.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Kristian Williams (American football)
- ESPN: Kristian Williams
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Defensive Tackle
- Group
- defense
- College
- Missouri
- Hometown
- Memphis, TN, USA
- Age
- 25
- Status
- active
