Rod Williams Bio
Rodney Williams II (born April 8, 1998) is an American professional football tight end. He played college football for the UT Martin Skyhawks and entered the National Football League when he was signed by the Denver Broncos as an undrafted free agent in 2022. After a brief stint with the Broncos, he joined the Pittsburgh Steelers practice squad and has spent the bulk of his professional career within the Steelers organization.
Williams has showcased significant potential throughout his collegiate career, amassing impressive receiving statistics, especially in his final two seasons. Standing 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighing 235 pounds, he has used his combination of size and athleticism to transition from wide receiver to tight end at the professional level.
Early Life and Background
Rodney Williams II was born on April 8, 1998, in Memphis, Tennessee. He grew up in the greater Memphis area and attended Germantown High School, where he developed as a multi-sport athlete. His hometown roots in West Tennessee helped shape his early dedication to football and other competitive sports.
At Germantown High School, Williams emerged as a standout in football, basketball, and track. He was recognized as an all-metro and all-district selection in football, signaling his promise as a pass catcher. On the track, he was a state champion, winning both the regional and state championship in high jumping, an event that underscored his explosiveness and overall athletic profile.
Following his high school success, Williams committed to play college football for the UT Martin Skyhawks, joining a program that competes at the NCAA Division I FCS level. His decision to attend UT Martin allowed him to continue developing his skills as a receiver while pursuing a college degree.
Path to American Football
Williams began his collegiate career at UT Martin as a wide receiver. As a true freshman in 2016, he appeared in eight games and recorded four receptions for 78 yards, easing into the Skyhawks’ offense and adjusting to the speed of the college game. The following season, he played in 10 games and added four catches for 32 yards, steadily building his experience within the receiving corps.
In 2018, Williams took on a larger role and totaled 23 receptions for 252 yards while seeing his first extended action as a starter. The 2019 campaign, however, was cut short when he suffered an injury that led him to redshirt after appearing in just four games and posting nine receptions for 111 yards. Despite the setback, his trajectory as a pass catcher continued to climb.
Williams switched to tight end for the 2020–21 season, a positional change that played to his frame and athleticism. He responded with 30 receptions for 327 yards and four touchdowns, earning second-team FCS All-American honors. In his final season in the fall of 2021, he was named a second-team all-conference selection after tallying 29 receptions for 417 yards and three touchdowns, finishing his career ninth in UT Martin history with 99 receptions, 1,217 receiving yards, and seven touchdowns.
Rod Williams Career
Early Career (2016–2021)
Williams’ early career was defined by his development at UT Martin. Across six college seasons, he grew from a lightly used freshman wide receiver into one of the most productive pass catchers in program history. The switch to tight end in 2020 proved transformative, aligning his athletic tools with the physical demands of an in-line receiving role.
His senior seasons at UT Martin produced his most impressive statistical output. By the time he declared for the NFL, he had established himself as a reliable target with the ability to win down the seam and contribute as a blocker, a profile that intrigued professional scouts despite his small-school background.
NFL Breakthrough (2022–2023)
After going unselected in the 2022 NFL Draft, Williams was signed by the Denver Broncos as an undrafted free agent. He spent the early portion of training camp with Denver before being waived on August 16, 2022, ending a brief tenure with the organization.
On September 13, 2022, Williams was signed to the practice squad of the Pittsburgh Steelers, beginning a longer association with the franchise. He signed a reserve/future contract on January 10, 2023, signaling the team’s intent to keep him in the organization long term. Later that year, he was waived on August 29, 2023, and re-signed to the practice squad the next day before being promoted to the active roster on October 4, 2023, after an injury to starting tight end Pat Freiermuth.
Williams recorded one of the more memorable moments of his early career during a Week 5 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens. He nearly recovered a punt blocked by teammate Miles Killebrew as it rolled out of the end zone for a safety, contributing to a 17–10 Steelers victory. That sequence highlighted his value on special teams and his awareness in high-pressure game situations.
Pittsburgh Steelers Era (2022–Present)
Williams continued his journey with the Pittsburgh Steelers into 2024. He was waived on August 27, 2024, and re-signed to the practice squad shortly thereafter, then promoted to the active roster on September 18, 2024. His time on the active roster in 2024 ended when he was waived on November 5.
Throughout his time in Pittsburgh, Williams has remained a depth option at tight end while contributing on special teams. His familiarity with the Steelers’ system and the trust he has built with the coaching staff have made him a reliable developmental piece within the organization.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Williams’ most notable moments is his special teams sequence against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 5 of the 2023 season, when he came within a hair of recovering a blocked punt in the end zone for a safety, helping seal a 17–10 victory. His promotion to the active roster following Pat Freiermuth’s injury also marked a meaningful milestone, representing his first sustained opportunity on an NFL game-day roster.
Rod Williams Career Wins
As a tight end, Rodney Williams II’s statistical highlights are centered on his collegiate production rather than headline NFL win totals. At UT Martin, he finished his career ranked ninth in program history in receptions with 99, alongside 1,217 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. His most decorated season came in 2020–21, when he earned second-team FCS All-American honors after recording 30 catches for 327 yards and four touchdowns.
College Highlights
Williams closed his UT Martin career with 99 receptions for 1,217 yards and seven touchdowns, placing him ninth on the program’s all-time receptions list. His first-team impact arrived in the 2020–21 season following his position switch, and he followed that with a second-team all-conference selection in the fall of 2021. He was not selected in the 2022 NFL Draft, but signed as an undrafted free agent with the Denver Broncos shortly after the draft concluded.
Other Wins & Performances
Williams was a high school state champion in high jumping, an athletic accomplishment that demonstrated his explosiveness and lower-body power. At the professional level, his contributions have been measured in special teams plays and depth chart promotions rather than headline statistics.
Rod Williams Family
Personal Life
Public details about Rodney Williams II’s immediate family, marital status, and children are not widely documented. He has maintained a relatively private personal life as he has pursued his professional football career.
2025 Season Performance
Looking ahead to 2025, Rodney Williams II remains within the Pittsburgh Steelers organization as a developmental tight end and special teams contributor. His familiarity with the Steelers’ scheme, built across multiple practice-squad stints and active-roster promotions, positions him as a depth option behind the team’s top tight ends.
The Steelers’ tight end room in 2025 will continue to feature Pat Freiermuth as a focal point of the passing game, and Williams’ role is likely to center on special teams duty and spot offensive snaps. His track record of being elevated to the active roster when injuries have struck suggests the organization values his readiness and versatility.
For Williams, the 2025 campaign represents an opportunity to solidify a more permanent spot on the Steelers’ 53-man roster. Continued development as a blocker, consistency on special teams, and reliable availability will be key factors in determining whether he can transition from practice squad mainstay to entrenched depth piece at the NFL level.