Marlon Williams: From UCF Knight to UFL Star

Marlon Williams, born on August 12, 1999, is an American professional football wide receiver currently playing for the Birmingham Stallions of the United Football League (UFL). His journey to professional football began at the University of Central Florida (UCF), where he left a lasting mark on the Knights' football program.

Early Years

Williams honed his skills as a wide receiver and return specialist at McGill-Toolen Catholic High School. His performance there earned him initial commitment to the University of Southern California, before ultimately accepting a scholarship to UCF.

College Career at UCF

Williams made an immediate impact at UCF, playing in all 13 games as a true freshman in 2017. He showcased his potential by catching 17 passes for 270 yards and two touchdowns. He also displayed his versatility by rushing for 54 yards on two attempts. He averaged 15.9 yards per catch. At Cincinnati (9/30) he took a handoff 47 yards for first career rush. At SMU (11/4) he snagged a career-high three passes for 58 yards, including a career-long 46-yard grab. He tallied first career touchdown reception against UConn (11/11), finished with two catches for 17 yards. And grabbed three passes for 30 yards and a score at Temple (11/18).

Sophomore Season (2018)

In his sophomore year, Williams played in 12 games, recording 18 catches for 234 yards and one touchdown. He also contributed on special teams, returning six kickoffs for 93 yards, including a season-long against SMU. Additionally, he had 25 yards on 5 carries, averaging 5 yards per rush. He averaged 13 yards per catch and 29.3 all-purpose yards per game. He made two receptions for 30 yards and one touchdown against FAU (9/21). And recorded 56 yards on four catches at Memphis (10/13). He returned a trio of kickoffs back for 45 total yards against Navy (11/10).

Junior Season (2019)

Williams' role expanded in his junior season as he played in all 13 games, starting seven at receiver. He ranked second on the team with 51 receptions and third with 717 receiving yards and six receiving touchdowns. He also contributed on special teams, returning two kicks for a total of 42 yards and four punts for 22 yards. He had 12 plays of 20 or more yards, the fourth most on the team, and three receptions of 50 or more yards, including a 75-yard touchdown, the longest reception of the season for any Knight. He caught three balls for 34 yards and one kick return for 25 yards against FAMU (8/29). Hauled in three passes for 73 yards with a 28-yard touchdown against Stanford (9/14). Had 62 receiving yards on three catches with a 21-yard score against UConn (9/27). Caught five balls for 78 yards against ECU (10/19). Hauled in three passes for 81 yards with a 73-yard touchdown at Temple (10/26). Totaled 31 yards on six catches and a six-yard touchdown, while returning one punt for 11 yards against Houston (11/2). Caught five balls for 43 yards at Tulsa (11/8). Made nine receptions for 119 yards, including a 23-yard touchdown at Tulane (11/23). Added five catches for 45 yards against South Florida (11/29). Had seven receptions for 132 yards and a 75-yard touchdown at the Gasparilla Bowl against Marshall (12/23).

Senior Season (2020)

His senior year was a breakout season, solidifying his place in UCF football history. He started eight times at receiver and led the Knights with 71 catches, 1,039 receiving yards, and 10 touchdown receptions. He had five games of 100 or more receiving yards, tied for the eighth most in a season at UCF. Along with Jaylon Robinson, he combined for 2,018 receiving yards on the season, the fourth most prolific duo in program history. Williams earned Pro Football Focus third-team All-American honors and first-team all-conference accolades from The American. He was also a semifinalist for the Biletnikoff Award. Williams led the AAC and ranked third in the nation with 8.9 receptions per game, and led the league and ranked fifth in the nation with 129.9 receiving yards per game. He ranked second in the conference and seventh in the nation with 10 receiving touchdowns, and was also second in the league and ninth in the nation with 1,039 receiving yards. He had 10 catches for 154 yards and two touchdowns at Georgia Tech (9/19). Caught 13 passes - which tied for the fourth most in a single game in UCF history - and finished with 136 receiving yards at ECU (9/26). Recorded nine catches for 98 yards against Tulsa (10/3). Finished with 13 receptions - matching his best - for 191 yards and a touchdown at Memphis (10/17). Caught nine passes for 174 yards and three scores, which is tied for the fourth most in a single game in program history against Tulane (10/24). Had five catches for 87 yards at Houston (10/31). Caught two touchdowns on four receptions and 102 receiving yards against Temple (11/14). Had eight catches for 97 yards and two scores against Cincinnati (11/21).

By the end of his UCF career, Williams' 157 career receptions ranked tied for ninth most in UCF history. With 2,260 receiving yards in his career, he ranks 10th all-time in program history. He finished his career with 19 touchdown receptions, the ninth most for a Knight.

Professional Career

Houston Texans

After a successful college career, Williams signed with the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent on May 1, 2021.

Birmingham Stallions (USFL/UFL)

Williams was drafted by the New Birmingham Stallions in the 7th round of the inaugural 2022 USFL draft. Despite missing one game, Williams finished third in the league with 474 receiving yards and tied for the second-most receiving touchdowns in the league. In the 2022 USFL Championship Game, Williams had the longest reception of the season, a 65-yard touchdown. He continues to play for the Stallions in the UFL.

Strengths and Attributes

Marlon Williams is known for his ability to break tackles and gain yards after the catch. He can line up in the slot and catch slants, turning short catches into significant gains. While not the fastest in his draft class (running a 4.59 40-time at UCF’s Pro Day), his strength and agility make him a valuable asset on the field.

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