Brandon Williams (linebacker)


Brandon Williams is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys and Arizona Cardinals. He played college football at Texas Tech University.

Early years

Williams attended South Hills High School. He received All-district honors as a senior, after registering 102 tackles and 11 sacks.

College career

He accepted a football scholarship from Texas Tech University. As a true freshman, he appeared in 11 games, tallying 16 tackles and 3.5 sacks. He became a starter at defensive end as a sophomore, leading the team with 6 sacks and 12.5 tackles for loss. He also had 41 tackles, 2 passes defensed, 3 forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
As a junior, he registered 11 sacks, 13 tackles for loss, 21 tackles, 3 passes defensed and one forced fumble. At the end of the season, he declared his intention to enter the 2009 NFL Draft. At the same press conference when he announced his plans to forgo his senior season, he accompanied Texas Tech wide receiver Michael Crabtree, who made a similar announcement. He finished his college career with 78 tackles, 20.5 sacks, 6 passes defensed, 6 forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.

Professional career

Dallas Cowboys

Williams was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth round of the 2009 NFL Draft, with the plan of converting him into an outside linebacker in their 3-4 defense. He tore his left ACL in the second preseason game while playing special teams and was placed on the injured reserve list.
In his second season, he played tentatively coming back from injury and was declared inactive in 10 games. He finished with four special teams tackles. He was waived on September 3, 2011.

Arizona Cardinals

The Arizona Cardinals signed him to their practice squad on November 22, 2011. He was promoted to the active roster on December 21. Williams was released with a shoulder injury on August 31, 2012.

Coaching career

In 2016, he was the Texas Stealth head coach of the American Indoor Football league. He is a football coach at Nolan Catholic High School.

Personal life

Williams parents are Debra and Gary Hampton, who have also two daughters, LaToya and Camry, and 2 other sons, Demondre and Gary Jr.