Avery Williams Bio
Avery Williams (born July 15, 1998) is an American professional football running back and return specialist. He played college football for the Boise State Broncos before beginning his National Football League career in 2021. Williams was born to Pam Veasey and Marvin Williams in Pasadena, California, where he developed into a noted multi-sport athlete in high school. He is best recognized for his work as a returner, a role in which he earned national recognition as a consensus All-American and won the Jet Award as a senior at Boise State.
Early Life and Background
Avery Williams was born on July 15, 1998, in Pasadena, California, to parents Pam Veasey and Marvin Williams. Of Mexican descent through a grandmother, he grew up in the Pasadena area before moving to attend Saint Francis High School. He later transferred to JSerra Catholic High School in San Juan Capistrano ahead of his senior season, a move that allowed him to showcase his abilities on a larger stage.
As a senior, Williams was a standout on both sides of the ball, earning Trinity League co-Most Valuable Player honors after rushing for 1,175 yards and 14 touchdowns at running back. He was also recognized as an All-Area selection at defensive back. Despite that production, Williams received no scholarship offers to play college football, and he eventually accepted a preferred walk-on opportunity with Boise State.
Path to Professional Football
Williams joined the Boise State Broncos as a walk-on and redshirted during his true freshman year. He was named the Special Teams Scout Team Player of the Year during that redshirt season and was awarded a scholarship during the 2017 fall preseason camp. That opportunity marked the turning point in his college career, as he quickly developed into a key contributor on special teams and defense.
As a redshirt freshman, Williams became the team’s primary punt and kick returner while also starting at cornerback, finishing the year with two interceptions, eight passes broken up, and two punt return touchdowns on his way to second-team All-Mountain West Conference honors. His role continued to expand each season, and by his senior year he had tied the NCAA Division I career record with nine return touchdowns, cementing his reputation as one of the most dangerous return men in college football.
Avery Williams Career
Early Career (2017-2020)
During his redshirt freshman season at Boise State, Williams burst onto the scene as a return specialist and cornerback, delivering two pick-six-level interceptions and two punt return touchdowns. He was named second-team All-Mountain West for his efforts, signaling his arrival as a high-upside contributor on special teams. As a redshirt sophomore, he added 49 tackles, 11 passes defended, two interceptions, and three forced fumbles, along with a kickoff return touchdown, earning honorable mention All-Mountain West recognition.
His junior season produced another strong all-around campaign with 39 tackles, four passes broken up, and 22 punt returns for 290 yards and two touchdowns, again earning honorable mention All-Mountain West honors. In his senior year, Williams returned 19 kickoffs for 533 yards and two touchdowns while adding 15 punt returns for 229 yards and two more scores. He was a consensus first-team All-American as an all-purpose player, a first-team All-Mountain West selection, and the Mountain West Special Teams Player of the Year for the second consecutive season, and he won the Jet Award as the nation’s top returner.
NFL Breakthrough (2021-2022)
Williams was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the fifth round, 183rd overall, of the 2021 NFL draft. He signed his four-year rookie contract on June 15, 2021, and immediately stepped into a prominent role as the Falcons’ primary kick and punt returner, while also serving as a core special teamer and gunner. His work in the return game helped anchor Atlanta’s special teams units during his rookie season.
In the 2022 offseason, the Falcons moved Williams to running back, returning him to his primary position from high school. The transition allowed him to develop a more complete offensive skill set while continuing to contribute in the kicking game. He remained a fixture on special teams while adjusting to his new role on offense.
Atlanta Falcons Era (2021-2024)
Williams spent his first four professional seasons with the Atlanta Falcons, serving as a reliable returner and rotational running back. He suffered a torn ACL during organized team activities in June 2023, an injury announced by head coach Arthur Smith on June 7, 2023, that forced him to miss the entire 2023 season. He was placed on injured reserve on June 16, 2023, and worked his way back onto the field for the 2024 campaign.
Philadelphia Eagles and New York Jets Era (2025)
On March 15, 2025, Williams signed a one-year contract with the Philadelphia Eagles in search of a fresh opportunity. He was released on August 26, 2025, as part of the Eagles’ final roster cuts, ending his short tenure in Philadelphia. On October 3, 2025, Williams signed with the New York Jets’ practice squad, only to be released on October 14, 2025, as the Jets reshaped their roster.
Driving Style and Strengths
Williams is best known for his explosive open-field acceleration and vision as a returner, the traits that produced nine career return touchdowns at Boise State and a Jet Award in 2020. Listed at 5 feet 9 inches and 195 pounds, he plays with a low center of gravity that helps him absorb contact and stay on his feet through traffic. His versatility on coverage units and his comfort working in tight spaces as a running back have made him a valued special teams contributor throughout his professional career.
Notable Events and Milestones
Williams’ signature achievement came during his senior season at Boise State, when he tied the NCAA Division I career record with nine return touchdowns. He was a consensus first-team All-American as an all-purpose player in 2020, won the Jet Award that same year, and was a two-time Mountain West Special Teams Player of the Year. He was also named second-team All-Mountain West as a redshirt freshman in 2017, a rare honor for a walk-on.
Avery Williams Career Highlights
Williams’ most celebrated accomplishments came during his senior season at Boise State in 2020, when he was recognized as a consensus first-team All-American, won the Jet Award, and was named Mountain West Special Teams Player of the Year for the second straight season. He tied the NCAA Division I career record with nine return touchdowns and was a first-team All-Mountain West selection. Earlier, he had been named second-team All-Mountain West as a redshirt freshman in 2017, marking one of the strongest debuts by a walk-on in program history.
Professional Highlights
Through his time with the Atlanta Falcons from 2021 to 2024, Williams served as the team’s primary kick and punt returner and contributed on coverage units, eventually transitioning to running back in 2022. Across his NFL career, he had tallied 1,841 return yards and one total touchdown as of the 2024 season, along with 13 receptions for 61 receiving yards and 109 rushing yards.
Avery Williams Family
Family Background and Lineage
Avery Williams was raised by his mother, Pam Veasey, and his father, Marvin Williams, in Pasadena, California. He is of Mexican descent through a grandmother, a heritage that has shaped his family background. His parents supported his athletic development from an early age as he moved between high schools in search of the right fit.
Personal Life
Williams attended Saint Francis High School before transferring to JSerra Catholic High School in San Juan Capistrano, where he emerged as a top high school prospect in the Trinity League. He went on to attend Boise State, where he earned his scholarship and developed into one of the nation’s top return specialists.
2025 Season Performance
Williams entered 2025 hoping to revive his career after an injury-limited stretch in Atlanta. He signed a one-year contract with the Philadelphia Eagles on March 15, 2025, but was released on August 26, 2025, as part of final roster cuts. The release came as Philadelphia trimmed its roster to the regular-season limit, leaving Williams to look for another opportunity.
On October 3, 2025, Williams signed with the New York Jets’ practice squad, giving him a chance to re-establish himself in the league. He was released by the Jets on October 14, 2025, after an 11-day stint on the practice squad, ending his 2025 regular-season activity. The year served as a transitional chapter, with Williams navigating roster turnover in two organizations.
Looking ahead, Williams remains an experienced return specialist and running back with a proven track record at the college level and meaningful NFL production on special teams. His combination of return-game explosiveness, coverage ability, and running back versatility should continue to draw interest from teams seeking special teams help as rosters stabilize later in the 2025 season and beyond.