AJ Williams WR, Stillman College DII
AJ Williams can still recall all of those voices telling him he would never make it — telling him college football wasn’t even worth trying. At the time, those voices almost had Williams convinced. Now, they are part of what’s driving him as he finds himself on the verge of becoming a scholarship wide receiver at Division-2 Stillman College in Alabama.
“After high school, a lot of people were trying to tell me that I was done,” said Williams who just finished his sophomore season at Stillman. “And, at first I was ready to give up too.” Williams always wanted a shot at college football but not a single school showed interest in him after two stellar years in high school.
“I never used any recruiting resources,” Williams said. “I really didn’t know of any. I just figured if I played well enough someone would contact me.”
When no one did, Williams had to scramble to find the right college. When his search landed him at Stillman College, that’s when the adversity really began.
Despite being a stand-out receiver and special teams player in high school, Williams was just another face in the crowd at Stillman. “I was treated like every other walk-on,” he said. “Sometimes it felt like my coach was a little harder on me than some of the other guys. Kinda felt like they were trying to make me quit.”
But Williams never quit. Quitting wasn’t an option for Williams after that first day.
Just like in high school — when he didn’t break into full-time varsity duties until his junior year — Williams remained persistent. He stayed focused and he kept working until someone took notice. Williams made sure he stood out on the practice field as a freshman. This season, he earned limited playing time as a receiver, but he made enough
of an impression to put himself on the verge of starting and earning a college scholarship.
Not bad for a kid who almost called it a career after high school. “I just prayed and made sure I talked to my parents everyday,” Williams said. “Prayer and family is the reason why I am where I am today. I’m glad I got the chance and I’m glad I stuck with it.”
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