Quinnen Williams

Quinnen Williams's Biography

Quinnen Williams, born December 5, 1997, is an accomplished American professional football player who masters the role of a defensive tackle for the New York Jets, a team in the reputed National Football League (NFL). Williams’ journey originates from Alabama where he developed his early understanding and passion for football. Interestingly, he shares this journey with his older brother Quincy Williams, who also happens to be his teammate at the Jets in the capacity of a linebacker.

In his foundational years, Williams attended Wenonah High School in Birmingham, Alabama, which was also the period when he tragically lost his mother to breast cancer in 2010. Despite personal hardships, his talent on the football field was undeniable. He was a four-star prospect and secured a commendable 17th position among the best defensive tackles across the country in the class of 2016, as per 247Sports Composite.

At first, Williams committed to Auburn University to play collegiate football, but fate had different plans. On June 30, 2015, he re-directed his collegiate course towards the University of Alabama instead.

He spent his first year at Alabama, 2016, redshirting, and then went on to play all 14 games in his redshirt freshman year in 2017, securing an impressive 20 tackles and two sacks. His prowess in defensive tackle remained evident when he marked two crucial tackles in the 2018 College Football Playoff National Championship victory against Georgia. The trophy in the locker, Williams readied himself for the 2018 season and was named the starting nose guard in the season opener against Louisville.

This human wall tallied six total tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss in that game, and was honored as SEC Co-Defensive Line player of the week. In a subsequent match against LSU, where the Crimson Tide pulled off a shutout win, he posted 10 total tackles, 3.5 for loss, and 2.5 sacks claiming Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the Week and SEC Defensive Player of the Week accolades.

In his redshirt sophomore season, Williams was a unanimous first-team All-American and first-team All-SEC. The towering figure won the Outland Trophy as the nation’s best interior lineman and he led the second-highest number of tackles for loss in the SEC, with his eight sacks also ranking fifth in the conference. Following these outstanding collegiate achievements, Williams decided to forego his remaining two years of eligibility and announced his candidacy for the 2019 NFL Draft.

In 2019, Williams transitioned into his professional football career when the New York Jets drafted him, as their third overall pick. He signed a four-year deal with the Jets worth $32.5 million, which included a $21.6 million signing bonus and an option for the fifth year. However, his professional journey came with its share of obstacles. His second preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons saw him cough up a fine of $21,056 for a late hit on Matt Schaub.

His first regular-season game came against the Buffalo Bills in September, but was cut short due to an ankle injury. Nevertheless, he bounced back and in Week 9 against the Miami Dolphins, Williams recorded his first career sack on Ryan Fitzpatrick, despite the 26-18 loss. In Week 10, he recorded his first career fumble recovery, securing a ball lost by Golden Tate and aiding his Jets achieve a 34-27 victory over the New York Giants.

His second sack of the season came in Week 16 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, contributing to the Jets’ 16-10 win, however, this marked his final tackle of the season. In totality, Williams closed his rookie season with 28 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and a single fumble recovery across his 13 games played.

In Week 2 against the San Francisco 49ers, Williams signaled his season’s first two sacks, however, the game concluded with a 31-13 loss. On October 10, he endured a fine of $25,000 for committing two personal fouls in the Week 4 game against the Denver Broncos. Following the same pattern, in Week 12 against the Dolphins, Williams recorded 1.5 sacks and forced a fumble on Matt Breida, which was later retrieved by the Jets. His season concluded early as he was placed on injured reserve on December 23, 2020, causing him to miss the final two games of the season.

Despite setbacks, Williams’ prowess didn’t go unnoticed, gaining him an All-Pro vote for the 2020 season. However, his journey saw another roadblock as he was diagnosed with a small fracture in his foot on May 4, 2021, and underwent surgery three days later. On the bright side, October 4 saw a unique moment, as Quinnen and his brother Quincy made NFL history by each recording a sack in the victory against the Tennessee Titans.

The New York Jets recognizing Quinnen’s defensive talents picked up the fifth-year option on his contract on April 26, 2022. Williams’ eminence continued to bloom as he made five tackles, two sacks, forced a fumble, and blocked a field goal in a 27-10 win over the Green Bay Packers during Week 6. His consistent performance earned him the AFC Defensive Player of the Week. This reliability made him a valuable asset to the Jets’ team, who in 2023, rewarded him with a four-year contract extension costing $96 million, with $66 million guaranteed.

Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic in April 2020, the towering figure showcased his philanthropic side by donating healthy meals to medical professionals on the front lines in New Jersey. Moreover, in alliance with former University of Alabama football player Chris Rogers’ nonprofit organization, Together Assisting People (TAP), Williams facilitated the giveaway of more than 10,000 boxes of fruits and vegetables to those in need at the Historic Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama. Thus, not only did he make outstanding contributions on the playing field but also significantly impacted his surroundings off it.