Sam Williams Bio
Samuel Degarrick Williams (born March 31, 1999) is an American professional football linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighing 260 pounds, he plays on the edge of the defense and contributes on special teams. Williams played college football for the Northeast Mississippi Tigers before transferring to the Ole Miss Rebels. The Cowboys selected him in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft with the 56th overall pick.
Early Life and Background
Williams was born in Mobile, Alabama, on March 31, 1999. He had a difficult childhood; he and his siblings were taken from their mother and raised by his grandparents and, after the age of 7, by an aunt. He attended Marbury High School, a small school in Deatsville, Alabama, where his sport of choice was basketball. The summer after his junior year, he was expelled for playing with a knife, which forced a change of schools.
He transferred to Robert E. Lee High School in Montgomery, Alabama, where he played his only full year of high school football as a starter on the defensive line. During that season he was teammates with future pro football player Henry Ruggs III. The late start did not stop him from earning college attention, and his combination of size and quickness made him a notable recruit along the Gulf Coast.
Path to American Football
After high school, Williams enrolled at Northeast Mississippi Community College to continue his football development. He spent two seasons with the Tigers, appearing in nine games as a freshman in 2017 and recording 53 tackles with 3.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. His sophomore year in 2018 brought a major breakthrough, as he posted 17.5 sacks, tied for the most in the nation at the junior college level, along with 75 tackles and four forced fumbles. That production earned him first-team NJCAA All-American honors and the MACJC Defensive Lineman of the Year award.
Following his standout junior college career, Williams transferred to the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) for the 2019 season. He started eight of twelve games as a junior, leading the team with six sacks while adding 37 tackles and an interception. In 2020, he split time between linebacker and defensive end and led the Rebels with eight tackles for loss. During his 2021 senior season, he broke the school’s single-season sack record with 12.5 sacks, earned First-team All-SEC recognition, and was named a Third-team All-American.
Sam Williams Career
Early Career (2017–2019)
Williams’ first notable stretch came at Northeast Mississippi Community College, where his production climbed quickly. His 17.5 sacks as a sophomore marked him as one of the most disruptive defensive linemen in junior college football. The Tigers used him as a pass-rushing specialist who could also hold the edge against the run.
His transition to Southeastern Conference competition began at Ole Miss in 2019. Despite learning a new defensive scheme, he led the Rebels in sacks during his first season in Oxford, Mississippi. He continued to grow as a hybrid edge defender, gaining experience at both defensive end and linebacker.
Ole Miss Breakthrough (2020–2021)
Williams’ 2020 season was interrupted in late July and August when he was arrested on a felony sexual battery charge, but the charges were later dropped. He returned to play in ten games, starting six, and continued to flash his pass-rushing potential by leading the team in tackles for loss. The experience strengthened his resolve heading into his final collegiate year.
In 2021, Williams produced his most complete season. He started thirteen games and broke the Ole Miss single-season sack record with 12.5 sacks, while also forcing four fumbles, recovering one for a 33-yard touchdown, and leading the team with sixteen tackles for loss. His dominant play earned him First-team All-SEC honors and a Third-team All-American selection, cementing his status as an NFL prospect.
Dallas Cowboys Era (2022–Present)
The Dallas Cowboys selected Williams with the 56th overall pick in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft. He made an immediate impact in his debut against the Detroit Lions, posting three tackles, two sacks, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery in just twelve snaps. Although a knee injury and a car accident in Plano, Texas, limited his availability late in the year, he finished his rookie season with 19 tackles, 4 sacks, and a team-high 3 fumble recoveries in 15 games.
In 2023, Williams appeared in all 17 games as a backup defensive end and special teams contributor. He recorded 20 tackles, 4.5 sacks (third on the team), 17 quarterback pressures, four special teams tackles, and a blocked punt against the Los Angeles Rams that resulted in a safety. He also strung together sacks in three consecutive games against the Philadelphia Eagles, New York Giants, and Carolina Panthers.
Heading into 2024, Williams was expected to take on a larger defensive role after the free agency departures of Dorance Armstrong and Dante Fowler. On July 28, 2024, he suffered a torn ACL and a partial tear of his MCL during training camp and was placed on injured reserve on August 7, 2024. On March 11, 2026, he re-signed with the Cowboys on a one-year contract as he continued his recovery.
Driving Style and Strengths
Williams is best known for his pass-rushing ability, using his length and quick first step to pressure opposing quarterbacks. He shows the flexibility to play as a hand-down defensive end or stand up as a linebacker, which has helped the Cowboys deploy him in multiple packages. His production on special teams, including a blocked punt and consistent tackle work, has also become a reliable part of his role.
Notable Events and Milestones
Williams set the Ole Miss single-season sack record with 12.5 sacks in 2021 and was selected in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft. He earned a blocked punt that produced a safety against the Los Angeles Rams in 2023 and was part of a three-game sack streak later that same season. He is also tied for the team lead in fumble recoveries from his rookie year.
Sam Williams Career Wins
Williams’ career victories have come primarily through team success in the NFL rather than individual trophy lifts. As of the 2025 regular season, his verified individual statistical milestones include 9.5 career sacks, 85 total tackles, three forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, and three pass deflections. His biggest career win came in his 2021 senior season, when he helped lead Ole Miss to a strong campaign and earned national recognition.
NFL Highlights
Through the 2025 regular season, Williams has recorded 9.5 career sacks and 85 total tackles in his time with the Dallas Cowboys. His first career multi-sack game came in his debut against the Detroit Lions, where he posted two sacks. His most recent sack streak came in November 2023, when he sacked quarterbacks from the Eagles, Giants, and Panthers in three straight games.
Other Wins & Performances
Williams earned First-team NJCAA All-American honors and the MACJC Defensive Lineman of the Year award during his sophomore season at Northeast Mississippi. He capped his college career with First-team All-SEC and Third-team All-American selections in 2021. A blocked punt against the Los Angeles Rams in 2023 that produced a safety also stands as a memorable career performance.
Sam Williams Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Williams was raised primarily by his grandparents and, after the age of 7, by an aunt, after he and his siblings were taken from their mother. He grew up in central Alabama before moving to the Mississippi junior college ranks. His background shaped a resilient approach that carried into his football career.
Personal Life
Williams is active on social media, where he is known by the handle @degarricksamuel on X and @bigsam13_ on Instagram. He has generally kept his personal relationships private, focusing publicly on his career with the Dallas Cowboys and his recovery from injury.
2025 Season Performance
Williams was expected to play a more prominent role for the Dallas Cowboys in 2025 after the team lost key edge rushers in free agency the previous offseason. A torn ACL and partial MCL tear during 2024 training camp, however, kept him on injured reserve and forced the Cowboys to plan his 2025 involvement around his recovery timeline. His re-signing in March 2026 reflects the organization’s continued belief in his long-term role on the defensive line.
When healthy, Williams provides the Cowboys with a versatile edge defender who can rush the passer, set the edge in the run game, and contribute on special teams. His career totals through the 2025 regular season, including 9.5 sacks and four fumble recoveries, give him a foundation to build on as he returns to full strength.
Looking ahead, Williams’ outlook with Dallas depends on how he progresses through his knee rehabilitation and how quickly he can reclaim a starting-caliber role. The Cowboys’ investment in a one-year contract suggests they view him as a player with upside who can still develop into a regular contributor on the edge.
