Connor Williams

Connor Williams transitioned from a highly touted college football player to a versatile offensive lineman in the NFL before his recent retirement. After an impactful collegiate career at the University of Texas at Austin, where he became a consensus first-team All-American as a sophomore in 2016—only the fourth in university history to achieve this—Connor Williams transitioned to the NFL as a highly sought-after offensive lineman. As a freshman, he secured a starting position, playing all 12 games at left tackle, and started 11 of 12 games in his sophomore season. Following 5 games in his junior year, Williams declared for the 2018 NFL Draft in 2017, selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the second round, 50th overall, designated as a guard.

Entering the 2023 season, Williams was confirmed as the first-string center on August 8, 2023. He played nine games that season, suffering a groin injury in Week 3, before a season-ending left ACL tear in Week 14, which placed him on injured reserve on December 13, 2023. After recovering from his injury, Williams agreed to a one-year, $6 million contract with the Seattle Seahawks on August 6, 2024, and was immediately named the starting center for the 2024 season opener. He started all nine games he played for the Seahawks before announcing his retirement from the NFL on November 15, 2024, midway through the season.