# Antwione Williams

Leander Antwione Williams (born May 26, 1993) is an American former professional football linebacker who played for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Georgia Southern. He was selected by the Lions in the fifth round (169th overall) of the 2016 NFL draft.

## Early life

Williams attended Lovejoy High School where he was a two-tme All-Regional selection. He was named All-county and All-South Crescent in 2009 and 2010. For his career, he recorded 63 tackles (14 solo), eight tackles-for-loss, three sacks, four interceptions, eight passes defensed, two blocked kicks and one touchdown.

## College career

Williams then attended Georgia Southern University where he majored in psychology.
As a freshman in 2011, he appeared in 11 games, starting three at linebacker. He finished the season with 25 tackles and one tackle-for-loss. In 2012 as a sophomore, he appeared in 14 games, starting six. He recorded 32 tackles (17 solo) and three passes defensed. He then missed the 2013 with an injury and was given a medical redshirt. In 2014, he returned as a redshirt junior and started all 12 games. He finished second on the team with 65 tackles (44 solo), eight tackles-for-loss, three sacks, one forced fumble and four passes defensed. For the season, he was named an All-Sun Belt Conference honorable mention. He also was named to the Dean's list in the spring and was a member of the Eagle Honor Roll for the spring as well. As a redshirt senior in 2015, he started all 13 games. He recorded 107 tackles (48 solo), 10.5 tackles-for-loss, four sacks, four forced fumbles, two quarterback hurries and three passes defensed. After the season, he was named an All-Sun Belt honorable mention selection.

### Statistics

| Year | Team | GP/GS | Tackles | Tackles | Tackles | Tackles | Sacks | Pass defense | Pass defense | Fumbles | Fumbles | Safeties | TDs |
| Year | Team | GP/GS | Solo | Ast | Total | TFL | No | Int | PD | FF | FR | Safeties | TDs |
| 2011 | Georgia Southern | 11 / 3 | -- | -- | 25 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2012 | Georgia Southern | 14 / 6 | 17 | 15 | 32 | -- | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2013 | Georgia Southern | 0 / 0 | -- | -- | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | Georgia Southern | 12 / 12 | 44 | 19 | 65 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | Georgia Southern | 13 / 13 | 48 | 59 | 107 | 10.5 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Career | Career | 50 / 34 | -- | -- | 229 | 19.5 | 7 | 0 | 10 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |

## Professional career

Pre-draft measurables :
| Height | Weight | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | 20-yard shuttle | Three-cone drill | Vertical jump | Broad jump | Bench press |
| 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 240 lb (109 kg) | 4.80 s | 1.70 s | 2.89 s | 4.58 s | 7.03 s | 35 in (0.89 m) | 9 ft 10 in (3.00 m) | 23 reps |
| All values from Georgia Southern pro day. ||||||||||
Williams was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the fifth round (169th overall) of the 2016 NFL draft. On May 6, he signed his four-year rookie contract. He played 14 games for the Lions in 2016, recording 17 solo tackles, 27 total tackles, and one QB hit on the season. On September 2, 2017, Williams was waived by the Lions.
On September 13, 2017, Williams was signed to the practice squad of the Minnesota Vikings. He signed a reserve/future contract with the Vikings on January 22, 2018. On August 31, 2018, Williams was waived by the Vikings.
On September 3, 2018, Williams was signed to the Seattle Seahawks' practice squad, but was released two days later.
On December 19, 2018, Williams was signed to the Carolina Panthers practice squad. He signed a reserve/future contract with the Panthers on December 31, 2018. He was waived during final roster cuts on August 30, 2019.
Williams was signed by the DC Defenders of the XFL during mini-camp in December 2019. He was waived on February 29, 2020.

## Personal life

In August 2020, Williams began attending Atlanta's John Marshall Law School and graduated in May 2023 with a Juris Doctor degree.
On November 14, 2024, Williams was charged with felonies of civil disorder and assaulting, resisting or impeding police, along with several lesser misdemeanor charges, in connection with the January 6 riots at the US Capitol. On January 20, 2025, he was among those pardoned by President Trump for their actions in the January 6 attack.