NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Former Washburn cornerback
Cary Williams has been moved from the Tennessee Titans practice squad to the active roster for this week's game against the Houston Texans. Williams spent the previous 14 weeks on the Titans' practice squad after joining the team as a seventh round draft pick.
Williams' Bio:
Cary Williams was named to the AP Little All-American Team as well as the Daktronics All-American team. Williams was named unanimous first team All-MIAA at defensive back after recording 7 INT's. Williams was also named first team Daktronics All-Region earlier this season and to the AFCA All-American team on Dec. 12. He returned one interception for TD. He lead the MIAA in INT's. He ranks fifth in NCAA D2 in interceptions per game. His seven INT's is the second most in WU single-season history. He returned two kickoffs for TD's which tied a WU single-season record and is WU career record as well. Williams ranks third in the NCAA with 29.2 yards per kickoff return earning first team All-MIAA kick returner honors. His 30.0 average per kick return is a Washburn career record and his 40.6 kick return average as a senior is the second-highest single-season total in school history. His 100-yard return is tied for the longest return in school history. He finished his career with 94 tackles including 67 solo stops with 11 interceptions.
Washburn NFL Draft History
The Washburn Ichabods have had four players who have heard their names called in the National Football League annual draft. The most recent was Trey Lewis, a defensive tackle from Topeka. He was the first Ichabod in 19 years to be drafted in the NFL draft following Troy Stedman, who was a seventh round pick of the Kansas City Chiefs.
Prior to Stedman's going to the Chiefs, Bill Baker and Ed Schneider both were selected by the New York Giants in the 1954 and 1944 drafts respectively.
Year Round Pick Player# Name Team Position
2007 6 11 185 Trey Lewis Falcons Defensive Tackle
1988 7 5 170 Troy Stedman Chiefs Linebacker
1954 25 3 292 Bill Baker Giants Halfback
1944 17 5 169 Ed Schneider Giants Tackle
Williams Bio from NFL.com
Cary Washburn emerged as one of the elite cornerbacks in the small college ranks as a senior for the Ichabods.
Williams, a consensus All-American in 2007, left his mark in the Washburn record books in just two seasons at the university. His seven interceptions as a senior rank second on the school's single-season list. His two kickoff returns for touchdowns in 2007 tied the Washburn season and career records.
His 100-yard kickoff return vs. Missouri Southern in 2007 tied the school record for longest runback. He also became just the third player to wear an Ichabod uniform to receive American Football Coaches Association All-American first-team honors, joining defensive tackle Trey Lewis (2006) and receiver Troy Slusser (1988).
At Chaminade-Madonna College Prep, Williams lettered three times as a receiver and defensive back. With the opposition steering clear of his territory, he managed just one interception as a senior. With less than impressive statistics, he was not recruited by major college programs.
As a true freshman at Fordham, Williams saw minimal action in six games, recording just three solo tackles in 2003. He appeared in seven games for the Rams in 2004, earning his only start at left cornerback vs. Georgetown. He finished with 15 tackles (12 solo), two pass deflections and a fumble recovery. He also returned nine kickoffs for 177 yards (19.7-yard average).
In his first season at Washburn, Williams teamed with Fletcher Terrell to give the Ichabods one of the best cornerback tandems in the small college ranks. He started all 11 games at right cornerback, posting 38 tackles (30 solo) with a stop for a two-yard loss and also deflected five passes. He had four interceptions and averaged 20.2 yards on 10 kickoff returns.
As a senior, the All-American selection ranked 10th in the nation with 17 kickoff returns for 487 yards (28.6-yard average) and two touchdowns. The right cornerback ranked sixth in the Division II ranks with seven interceptions and fourth with 164 yards gained on those pass thefts, including one that he returned for a score. He finished sixth on the team with a career-high 56 tackles (37 solo), as he also recovered a fumble.
In 23 games at Washburn, Williams registered 94 tackles (67 solo) with a stop for a two-yard loss, a fumble recovery and 12 pass deflections. He gained 174 yards with a touchdown on seven interceptions (23.4-yard average). He returned 27 kickoffs for 689 yards (25.5 avg) and a pair of scores. He also had a 68-yard touchdown on a reception and gained nine yards on a punt return.
High School
Attended Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood, Fla.) College Preparatory High School, playing football for head coach Mark Guandolo.