Former Hancock Football Star Malik Williams Signs Undrafted Free-Agent Contract with Atlanta Falcons

Former Allan Hancock College running back Malik Williams signed an undrafted free-agent contract with the Atlanta Falcons hours after the conclusion of 2018 NFL Draft on Saturday. He became the fourth former Bulldog under a contract with an NFL team. Williams was an all-state player for Hancock in 2015. He transferred from Hancock to Louisville to play for the Cardinals in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

His senior season at Louisville, Williams rushed for 531 yards on 67 carries, averaging 7.9 yards per carry and scored four touchdowns. Williams added 14 receptions for 136 yards. He rushed for a career-high 180 yards on nine carries and scored two touchdown against Syracuse last November.
Williams received all-state and all-conference honors during the 2015 season for the Bulldogs. He averaged a state-leading 198.6 all-purpose yards per game. He rushed for a team-high 525 yards and scored five touchdowns. He also led the team with 287 punt return yards, 217 receiving yards and 361 kickoff return yards. His biggest output of the season was 331 all-purpose yards in a 39-35 victory at Bakersfield that included a 96-yard kickoff return to set up the game-winning touchdowns.

At 6-foor-3, 221 pounds, Williams played four positions in college. He played safety as a freshman at Merced College. At Hancock, he played wide receiver, cornerback and running back. His move to the backfield, prompted by an injury to Hancock's starting tailback, increased his status as a Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) prospect.

Williams will attend the Falcons' rookie minicamp from May 10-13 in Atlanta.

The three other Bulldogs currently under NFL contracts include: Cameron Artis-Payne, who will be a fourth-year running back with the Carolina Panthers; Joshua Thornton, a second-year cornerback with the Houston Texans; and Brian Price, a third-year defensive tackle with the Dallas Cowboys.