NEW YORK, NY – Cary Williams became the fifth Washburn Ichabod to have his named called in the NFL Draft as the Tennessee Titans selected Williams with 229th overall pick and the 22nd pick of the seventh round. It is the second consecutive season the Ichabods have had a player drafted as Trey Lewis was tabbed by the Atlanta Falcons in the sixth round last season with the 170th overall pick.

 Williams becomes the first defensive back from the MIAA to be taken since John Fisher was picked by Jacksonville out of Missouri Western with the 170th overall pick in the sixth round during the 1996 NFL Draft.

“This is a great day for Cary and our program,” Ichabod head coach Craig Schurig said. “Cary has the talent and the work ethic to be a great cornerback and special teams standout in the NFL.”

Williams' Bio: -- Downloadable Mug Shot
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 last season 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).

"He came out here sight unseen," Washburn head coach Craig Schurig said. "He's matured a lot. He's got the talent to play in the NFL. He's got great ball skills. He can be a receiver. But corners are harder to find. He has great length. Our quarterbacks make a certain throw, and you think the pass is going to be over his head ... and he reaches up and either snatches it out of the air or tips it."

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.