JJ Williams

Updated through October 6, 2019

2019 (Columbus): JJ Williams made seven regular-season appearances (three starts as a striker) in 2019. He made his 2019 MLS and Crew SC regular-season debut in a road contest against the Philadelphia Union (March 23), subbing in for Patrick Mullins in the 55th minute. W Williams recorded his second appearance of the 2019 season coming into the match during the 88th minute against the Portland Timbers, for Hector Jimenez (April 20). He made a substitute appearance, coming into the match for Gyasi Zardes in the 65th minute of a road contest against D.C. United (May 4). Williams made a substitute appearance during a home match against Sporting Kansas City (June 23) coming into the match for Patrick Mullins. Williams made his first MLS and Crew SC start during a home contest against Orlando City SC (June 29) playing 77 minutes. Following his start against Orlando City SC, Williams made two consecutive starts at Real Salt Lake (July 3) and during a home contest against the Seattle Sounders (July 6) for the Black & Gold. He made two appearances during the 2019 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup against Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (June 11) and Atlanta United (June 18). Williams spent the 2019 season on loan in a game-by-game basis with USL Championship side Birmingham Legion FC, where he made 17 appearances (15 starts) and scored seven goals. 

COLLEGE EXPERIENCE

Williams played three seasons at the University of Kentucky, making 57 appearances (30 starts), scoring 24 goals and providing 15 assists from 2016-2018. In 2016, his freshman year, he made 18 appearances (seven starts), scoring three goals and providing three assists. During his sophomore year, Williams made 17 appearances (one start), registering three goals and four assists while being named to the 2017 Southeastern Conference Academic Honor Roll. In 2018, Williams made 22 appearances (all starts), tallying 18 goals and eight assists en route to earning the following honors: United Soccer Coaches First Team All- American, USC First Team All-Southeast Region, Southeastern Conference USA Player of the Year, SEC USA Offensive Most Valuable Player and SEC Conference Tournament MVP. Additionally, Williams was a 2018 Missouri Athletic Club Hermann Trophy Semifinalist.

Name: JJ Williams
Position: Forward
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 200
Born:  January 4, 1998 in Clovis, New Mexico
Hometown: Montgomery, Alabama
Citizenship: United States
Drafted: Selected in the First Round (18^th overall) of the 2019 MLS SuperDraft on January 11, 2018
Previous Experience: University of Kentucky (2016-2018)

PERSONAL BIO

Williams is the son of Jerome and Sondra. He has five siblings: Two brothers and two sisters. During his free time, Williams enjoys staying active, fishing and watching basketball. He also enjoys playing video games such as the FIFA franchise, NBA 2K, Call of Duty and Fortnite. Williams enjoys listening to all different types of music. He modeled himself after Thierry Henry and Didier Drogba. Portville, New York is one of his favorites places to visit because of how different it is from the rest of New York. Williams speaks English.