Brandon Williams (linebacker)

Brandon Williams is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League. He played college football for the Texas Tech Red Raiders and was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth round of the 2009 NFL draft. He was also a member of the Arizona Cardinals.

Early life

Williams attended South Hills High School. He received All-district honors as a senior, after registering 102 tackles and 11 sacks.

Williams accepted a football scholarship from Texas Tech University. As a true freshman, he appeared in 11 games as a backup defensive end, tallying 16 tackles and 3.5 sacks. He had five tackles and 2 sacks against Southeastern Louisiana University.
As a sophomore, he became a starter at defensive end, leading the team with 6 sacks and 12.5 tackles for loss. He also had 41 tackles, 2 passes defensed, 3 forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
As a junior, he registered 11 sacks, 13 tackles for loss, 21 tackles, 3 passes defensed and one forced fumble. He made 4 tackles, 2 sacks and one forced fumble in the 2009 Cotton Bowl Classic against the University of Mississippi.
At the end of the season, he declared his intention to enter the 2009 NFL draft. At the same press conference when he announced his plans to forgo his senior season, he accompanied Texas Tech wide receiver Michael Crabtree, who made a similar announcement. He finished his college career with 78 tackles, 20.5 sacks, 6 passes defensed, 6 forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.

Williams was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth round of the 2009 NFL draft, with the plan of converting him into an outside linebacker on their 3-4 defense. He tore his left ACL in the second preseason game while playing special teams and was placed on the injured reserve list on September 1.
In his second season, he played tentatively coming back from injury and was declared inactive in 10 games. He finished with four special teams tackles. He was waived on September 3, 2011.

The Arizona Cardinals signed him to their practice squad on November 22, 2011. He was promoted to the active roster on December 21. Williams was released with a shoulder injury on August 31, 2012.