Joshua Williams Bio
Joshua Williams is an American professional football cornerback for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Fayetteville State Broncos before being selected in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft. After joining Kansas City, Williams quickly established himself as a steady contributor in the secondary and was part of the Chiefs’ back-to-back Super Bowl victories in Super Bowl LVII and Super Bowl LVIII.
Early Life and Background
Joshua Williams was born on October 17, 1999, in Fayetteville, North Carolina. He grew up in the same city where he would later build his football foundation, attending Jack Britt High School. At Jack Britt, Williams played football and also competed on the track team, an experience that helped develop the speed and athleticism that would later define his professional profile.
After graduating from Jack Britt High School, Williams completed a postgraduate year at Palmetto Prep in Columbia, South Carolina, an extra year of preparation that allowed him to refine his game before college. Williams is of Kittitian descent through his father, reflecting a family heritage connected to the Caribbean island nation of Saint Kitts and Nevis.
Path to Professional Football
Joshua Williams took a non-traditional route to the NFL, beginning his college career at Fayetteville State University, a Historically Black College and University that competes in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA). As a freshman, he primarily played the nickel cornerback position, gaining early experience in sub-package defensive roles.
Before his sophomore year, Williams transitioned to outside cornerback, a move that produced immediate results. He finished that season with 32 tackles, one tackle for loss, 11 passes defended, and two interceptions, showing the ball skills and physicality that NFL scouts would later notice. His junior season in 2020 was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic, limiting his on-field exposure during a critical development year.
As a senior, Williams recorded 31 tackles with nine passes defended and three interceptions, one of which he returned 32 yards for a touchdown. His senior performance earned him first-team All-CIAA honors in 2021, and he capped his college career by playing in the 2022 Senior Bowl and participating in the 2022 NFL Combine.
Joshua Williams Career
Early Career (2022)
Joshua Williams was selected in the fourth round, 135th overall, of the 2022 NFL Draft by the Kansas City Chiefs. He became the first player drafted out of Fayetteville State in the regular portion of the NFL Draft, and the first Bronco selected in any part of the draft since Blenda Gay went in the 1973 Supplemental Draft. The selection marked a milestone for both Williams and his college program.
Williams wasted little time making an impact at the professional level. In Week 7 of his rookie season, he recorded his first career NFL interception during a 44–23 win over the San Francisco 49ers. Later that postseason, in the AFC Championship Game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Williams intercepted a pass from Joe Burrow that helped the Chiefs preserve their lead in a 23–20 victory.
Kansas City Chiefs Breakthrough (2022–2023)
Following the AFC Championship win, the Chiefs advanced to Super Bowl LVII against the Philadelphia Eagles. Kansas City defeated Philadelphia 38–35 to claim the title, and Williams contributed four tackles in the championship game, cementing his place on a championship roster as a rookie.
In 2023, Williams won his second consecutive Super Bowl when the Chiefs edged the San Francisco 49ers 25–22 in Super Bowl LVIII. He recorded two tackles in that game, completing one of the most decorated early stretches of any young cornerback in recent memory.
Kansas City Chiefs Era (2022–Present)
Joshua Williams has remained with the Kansas City Chiefs since being drafted, developing from a fourth-round rookie into a reliable member of the team’s defensive backfield. His interception of Joe Burrow in the 2022 AFC Championship Game stands as a defining early-career moment, demonstrating his ability to perform on the biggest stages.
Williams’ combination of size, speed, and instincts has allowed him to contribute on the outside and in sub-package situations. His back-to-back Super Bowl rings as a young player position him as a long-term piece of Kansas City’s secondary.
Driving Style and Strengths
Williams’ cornerback profile is built on length, speed, and ball skills developed through years of track and field training. He has shown a knack for tracking the football in coverage and stepping in front of receivers at critical moments, traits that produced his first NFL interception and his postseason pick against Cincinnati. His versatility, having played both nickel and outside corner, gives the Chiefs flexibility in their defensive schemes.
Notable Events and Milestones
Williams’ signature moments include his first NFL interception against the San Francisco 49ers in 2022, his game-clinching interception of Joe Burrow in the AFC Championship, and his contributions to back-to-back Super Bowl titles. He also holds the distinction of being the first Fayetteville State player drafted in the regular portion of the NFL Draft.
Joshua Williams Career Wins
Joshua Williams has compiled an impressive list of team achievements in his early NFL career, most notably two Super Bowl championships. His role in Kansas City’s Super Bowl LVII and Super Bowl LVIII victories places him among a select group of players who have won consecutive titles at the start of their professional journey.
NFL Highlights
Williams’ NFL résumé features his first career interception in Week 7 of the 2022 season, his pivotal AFC Championship interception against the Cincinnati Bengals, and his appearances in two Super Bowls. He recorded four tackles in Super Bowl LVII and two tackles in Super Bowl LVIII, contributing on defense in both championship games.
Other Wins & Performances
At the college level, Williams earned first-team All-CIAA recognition in 2021 following a senior season in which he totaled 31 tackles, nine passes defended, and three interceptions, including a 32-yard pick-six. He also competed in the Senior Bowl and the NFL Combine, key showcases for prospects entering the league.
Joshua Williams Family
Family Background and Heritage
Joshua Williams was raised in Fayetteville, North Carolina, where he attended Jack Britt High School. He is of Kittitian descent through his father, connecting him to the Caribbean island nation of Saint Kitts and Nevis. Public details about additional family members are limited.
Personal Life
Joshua Williams continues to reside in the United States while pursuing his NFL career with the Kansas City Chiefs. He maintains an active presence on social media, including an Instagram account under the handle jwilliofficial. Beyond his football commitments, limited public information is available regarding his personal relationships.
2025 Season Performance
Joshua Williams enters the 2025 season as an established member of the Kansas City Chiefs’ secondary following two Super Bowl titles in his first two professional seasons. His continued development as an outside cornerback remains a focus for the Chiefs’ defensive staff, particularly given his size, speed, and proven ability to deliver in high-pressure moments.
Throughout the 2025 campaign, Williams is expected to compete for expanded responsibilities in the defensive backfield, building on the production he showed as a rookie and sophomore. His interception of Joe Burrow in the 2022 AFC Championship remains a benchmark for his potential impact in critical game situations.
As the Chiefs pursue another deep postseason run, Williams’ combination of experience from two championship rosters and continued growth as a technician in coverage positions him as a key contributor for Kansas City in 2025 and beyond.