JoelWilliams

2021 – Sophomore

• Saw action in seven games and had two tackles (in the wins over Florida and New Mexico State)

2020 – Freshman

• Mid-year enrollee
• Played in nine games and had three tackles
• Charted his first career tackle in the win over Tennessee

High School

• Four-star recruit by all of the major recruiting services
• Ranked as the No. 26 safety nationally by Rivals
• Ability to play both sides of the ball, as he spent time at wide receiver in high school and totaled 988 receiving yards
• Had five interceptions and helped lead the Chargers to an 13-2 record and an appearance in the 3A playoffs as a senior
• Earned first-team All-State, All-Metro and All-District
• Had 10 TD catches, 35 tackles, 13 pass break-ups and three interceptions as a junior
• Three-year starter for coach Landry Williams
• Ran the 4×100-meter, 4×200-meter and 4×400-meter relays, and competed in the high jump as a junior on the track and field team
• Picked Kentucky over Alabama, Auburn, LSU, Florida, and Georgia

Community Cats

• Volunteered at LexCity Church (2020)

Personal

• Born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana
• Son of Tangi and Joseph Williams
• Siblings are Italy Hayes, Avril Holmes, Megan Justine, Ariel Williams, Jeremy Williams, Joseph Williams Jr., and Joshua Williams
• Dad, Joseph, was a tight end at Grambling State from 1983-86 and went on to play with the Pittsburgh Steelers for two seasons
• Major is health promotion

Joel Says

• His nickname is “Joe”
• He chose Kentucky because it is the best school and the people care
• One thing people may not know about him is that he never quits
• When he played football as a kid, he pretended to be Troy Polamalu
• The thing he looks forward to the most this season is taking over as a freshman