Kendall Williamson Bio
Kendall Tyler Williamson is an American professional football safety for the Los Angeles Chargers of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 0 inches tall and weighing about 203 pounds, he plays a coverage-and-run-support role in the defensive backfield. Williamson played college football for the Stanford Cardinal from 2018 through 2022 and entered the NFL after being selected in the seventh round of the 2023 draft. He has since spent time with the Chicago Bears and Buffalo Bills before landing with the Chargers.
Born and raised in Georgia, Williamson developed into a steady tackler at Stanford, where he logged 213 total tackles across five seasons. His professional journey has included stints on practice squads and an active-roster promotion, reflecting the perseverance typical of late-round defensive backs working to establish themselves in the league.
Early Life and Background
Kendall Tyler Williamson was born on August 24, 2000, in Snellville, Georgia, in the United States. Snellville, a suburb located east of Atlanta, provided the backdrop for his childhood and early athletic development. The region has produced a steady stream of football talent, and Williamson grew up in an environment where the sport was a central part of community life.
He attended Brookwood High School in Snellville, where he played football and began to attract attention from college recruiters. His performance as a defensive back in high school helped him secure a scholarship offer from Stanford, one of the most academically and athletically rigorous programs in the country. The decision to move from Georgia to California marked a significant step in his football journey.
Path to American Football
Williamson enrolled at Stanford University in 2018, joining a program known for producing NFL-ready players on both sides of the ball. As a member of the Stanford Cardinal, he spent five seasons developing his skills as a safety, learning under a succession of defensive coaches who emphasized technique, discipline, and football intelligence. His length of five seasons at the college level reflected both the normal undergraduate progression and the opportunities created by the COVID-19 era eligibility adjustments.
Across his Stanford career, Williamson tallied 213 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, one interception, 13 pass deflections, one fumble recovery, and two forced fumbles. Those numbers illustrated his value as a run-defending safety who could also contribute in coverage and as a blitzer. Following the 2022 season, he declared for the NFL draft, where his combination of size, tackling consistency, and special-teams upside made him an attractive late-round prospect.
Kendall Williamson Career
Early Career (2023)
Williamson was selected by the Chicago Bears with the 258th overall pick in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL draft. As a late-round selection, he faced long odds to make the team’s opening roster, but he impressed enough during the offseason program to remain under contract through the summer. On August 29, 2023, however, the Bears waived him as part of their final roster reductions.
Rather than leaving the organization, Williamson was re-signed to the Bears’ practice squad, giving him a chance to continue developing within the team’s system. He spent the remainder of the 2023 season in that role, working closely with coaches and refining his understanding of professional defensive schemes. When the season ended, the Bears did not sign him to a reserve or future contract, which made him a free agent heading into 2024.
Buffalo Bills Stop (2024)
On January 22, 2024, Williamson signed a reserve and future contract with the Buffalo Bills, joining the team during the offseason. The deal gave him an opportunity to compete for a roster spot heading into training camp. He participated in the Bills’ spring and summer workouts, working primarily on special teams and as a depth safety.
Despite his efforts, Williamson was released as part of the Bills’ final roster cuts on August 27, 2024. The decision reflected the deep defensive back groups that most NFL teams carry, where even solid contributors can find themselves on the outside looking in. His release set the stage for his next opportunity on the West Coast.
Los Angeles Chargers Era (2024–Present)
On October 30, 2024, Williamson was signed to the Los Angeles Chargers’ practice squad, marking his return to an active NFL organization midway through the season. The Chargers, in the middle of their own campaign, added him as a developmental piece who could contribute on special teams and provide depth at safety. He quickly immersed himself in the team’s defensive playbook.
Williamson was elevated to the Chargers’ active roster for the team’s Week 16 matchup against the Denver Broncos, in which he made his official NFL debut. The appearance marked the realization of a long-held goal for a player who had spent much of his first two professional seasons on practice squads. On January 13, 2025, he signed a reserve and future contract with the Chargers, securing his place with the organization beyond the 2024 campaign.
Driving Style and Strengths
Williamson’s game is built around reliable tackling, sound tackling angles, and a willingness to contribute across multiple defensive roles. At 6 feet 0 inches and 203 pounds, he has the build of a hybrid safety who can play near the line of scrimmage or drop into coverage. His college production, including 213 tackles and 11 tackles for loss, reflected a player comfortable playing the run.
Notable Events and Milestones
Williamson’s most notable professional milestone to date is his NFL debut with the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 16 of the 2024 season against the Denver Broncos. The debut came more than a year after he was originally drafted, underscoring the patience required for late-round prospects. Through the 2025 season, he has recorded 17 total tackles, according to his official NFL statistics.
Kendall Williamson Career Wins
As a defensive player, Kendall Williamson’s statistical contributions are measured in tackles, pass deflections, and special-teams plays rather than traditional win totals. Through the 2025 season, he has recorded 17 total tackles in his NFL career, a number that reflects his role as a rotational safety and core special-teams player for the Los Angeles Chargers. His progression from practice squad to active roster represents the most meaningful form of professional victory in his early career.
Los Angeles Chargers Highlights
Williamson’s first career highlight with the Chargers came in Week 16 of the 2024 season, when he was elevated from the practice squad to make his NFL debut against the Denver Broncos. The appearance validated the work he had put in since signing with the team in late October. Following the season, he signed a reserve and future contract in January 2025, locking in his place with the franchise.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond his Chargers tenure, Williamson’s professional journey has included stops with the Chicago Bears and the Buffalo Bills. Each stint, even when short, allowed him to refine his craft, learn new defensive systems, and build the kind of institutional knowledge that benefits a young safety. His career arc reflects persistence and adaptability through multiple team transitions.
Kendall Williamson Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Kendall Tyler Williamson’s immediate family is limited, with no widely reported details about his parents available in verified sources. What is known is that he grew up in Snellville, Georgia, where he attended Brookwood High School before moving on to Stanford University. His upbringing in the greater Atlanta area placed him in a region with deep football traditions that helped shape his development as a player.
Personal Life
Williamson’s personal life remains largely private, and no verified information about a spouse or children is publicly available. He is known to maintain an active presence on social media, where fans can follow his professional updates. His focus through his early NFL years has been on establishing himself as a reliable contributor in the Los Angeles Chargers secondary.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represents Kendall Tyler Williamson’s first full offseason with the Los Angeles Chargers after signing his reserve and future contract in January. Entering the year as a depth safety and core special-teamer, he has continued to compete for rotational snaps within a crowded defensive backfield. Through the season’s statistical window, he has registered 17 total tackles, a meaningful number for a player still establishing his role on defense.
His trajectory with the Chargers points toward continued growth, particularly on special teams, where late-round defensive backs often earn their longest careers. The trust shown by the organization in signing him to a future contract suggests the team values his professionalism, versatility, and special-teams reliability. As the season progresses, additional opportunities on defense could emerge depending on injuries or scheme changes.
For Williamson, the broader 2025 storyline is about building consistency and proving that his late-season 2024 debut was the beginning of a sustained NFL career rather than a brief appearance. With another full offseason in the team’s system behind him, he enters the heart of the schedule with a clearer understanding of the Chargers’ defensive expectations and an opportunity to expand his contributions on the field.
