After a four-year stint with the Denver Broncos, running back Javonte Williams is heading to one of the most storied teams in the NFL: the Dallas Cowboys. He is not exactly a household name, especially after his underwhelming 2024 season with the Broncos, of 513 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns on 139 carries. Back in college, however, he had shown much promise, and that spark is what the Cowboys are now banking on.
Where Did Javonte Williams Go To College and How Good Was He?
After graduating from Wallace Rose Hill High School in North Carolina in 2018, leading his team to four straight NC state titles, he chose to stay in his home state and became a Tar Heel. The former high school MVP then got the honor to play in all 11 games for North Carolina during his season as a true freshman.
As a freshman running back, he had limited playing time but did tally a total of 224 yards and scored five touchdowns on 43 carries. He also played on special teams, getting eight catches for 58 yards and six tackles during his time there. He bounced around as a running back and on special teams as a freshman.
He entered his sophomore season in 2019 playing mostly from the bench again, but he did start against Appalachian State and played in all 13 games that the Tar Heels had that season. He had more playing time as he rushed for 933 yards and five TDs on 166 attempts. He was also on special teams, as he caught 17 balls for 176 yards and even scored one touchdown.
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His coming-out season was during his junior year at Chapel Hill in 2020, where he played in all 11 games and became one of the top players in college football, even winning and being nominated for several prestigious awards.
Pro Football Focus named him the “best running back in the country” for 2020 as he led the nation in avoided tackles at 75 and was second in the nation with 42 rushes of over ten yards. He was also third in the nation in rushing downs at 72 and even set single-season program records at North Carolina with 132 points and 22 total touchdowns.
He was named the offensive MVP in 2020 and was also named to the AP All-America Team (Second Team), AP All-ACC First Team, and the All-ACC Second Team. He was also named the PFF ACC Player of the Year.
He chose not to continue with his senior season at North Carolina and entered the NFL draft in 2021, where the Denver Broncos selected him in the second round as the 35th overall pick. He signed a four-year deal with the Broncos, and when that was over, he signed a one-year, $3 million contract with the Dallas Cowboys.
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