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Jersey Number 20
J'Koby Williams
- Position:
- Running Back
- Height:
- 5-10
- Weight:
- 185
- Class:
- Junior
- Hometown:
- Beckville, Texas
- High School:
- Beckville
CAREER HONORS
2025 SEASON (SOPHOMORE)
2024 SEASON (FRESHMAN)
HIGH SCHOOL
PERSONAL
- All-Big 12 Third Team - Returner (2025, So.)
- All-Big 12 Honorable Mention - RB (2025, So.)
- PFF All-Big 12 Team (2025, So.)
- DCTF All-Texas College Second Team (2025, So.)
- Paul Hornung Award Finalist (2025, So.)
- Week 9 Paul Hornung Award Honor Roll - Oct. 28 (2025, So.)
- Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Week - Oct. 27 (2025, So.)
2025 SEASON (SOPHOMORE)
- Combined with Cameron Dickey to form one of the most-dynamic rushing duos in the country as a sophomore … an all-around threat with the ball in his hands, impacting the game on the ground, in the passing game and as a returner … appeared in all 14 games on the season while making six starts overall.
- Led the Red Raiders with 1,525 all-purpose yards on the year after totaling 868 yards on the ground, 388 receiving yards, 27 yards on punt returns and 242 as a kick returner … averaged an impressive 108.9 all-purpose yards to lead the team … bested Dickey for the team high in all-purpose yards as the Red Raiders were one of two teams nationally (Florida Atlantic) to boast multiple players with 1,300 all-purpose yards on the season but was the lone team to do so with both being running backs … marked only the seventh time in program history and the first time since 2015 that Texas Tech had two players with at least 1,300 all-purpose yards in the same season … was the first time, however, that both players were part of the running back room.
- Carried 155 times for 868 yards and six touchdowns on the ground to join with Dickey as the fist pair of 800-yard rushers in the same season in school history … the Red Raiders were one of only four power conference schools to have multiple running backs with at least 800 rushing yards … the two helped push Texas Tech to 2,560 rushing yards on the season as a team, its most since joining the Big 12 in 1996 … the Red Raiders also averaged 182.9 rushing yards per game as a team, their highest average since 2015 and the fourth-highest clip of the Big 12 era.
- Received double-digit carries in eight different games, including in seven contests versus Big 12 foes and in the Capital One Orange Bowl … rushed for at least 80 yards in four games and hit the 100-yard mark twice, both in Big 12 wins … totaled more than 100 all-purpose yards in eight different games as well.
- Hauled in 35 passes for 388 yards and two touchdowns through the air thanks to his ability to spread out as a receiver or catch the ball out of the backfield … had at least one catch in 13 of 14 games and totaled at least 50 receiving yards three times on the year … one of those resulted in a 100-yard receiving game, the first of his still young collegiate career.
- Limited in his role as a returner following a preseason injury to Quinten Joyner … made six kick returns over four games, resulting in 242 yards and a touchdown on a 40.3 average … often placed as a kick or punt returner in key moments beginning midway through Big 12 play … added three punt returns late in the season for 27 yards.
- Credited with 416 offensive snaps by Pro Football Focus, which awarded him an 88.4 overall grade … had the 11th-highest overall offensive grade nationally among running backs with 100 attempts and was eighth among power conference rushers … received an 87.2 grade as a pass catcher, which ranked fifth among running backs with at least 10 targets and second among power conference rushers … also had an 88.1 grade as a rusher and a 75.8 in run blocking … listed with 44 targets by the publication with 35 resulting in a completion, finishing with 466 yards after catch … able to fend off tacklers, forcing 48 missed tackles, per PFF, resulting in 597 rushing yards.
- AWARDS AND HONORS: an All-Big 12 third team honoree by the conference coaches as a returner and an honorable mention selection as a running back … tabbed to the All-Big 12 team compiled by Pro Football Focus, which uses its grading system when determining its postseason awards … member of the All-Texas second team compiled by Dave Campbell’s Texas Football … one of six finalists for the Paul Hornung Award, which recognizes the most-versatile player in college football … was the lone Big 12 player to be named a finalist for the award … tabbed the Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Week and to the Paul Hornung Award honor roll after returning a kickoff for a touchdown versus Oklahoma State.
- IN NCAA RANKINGS: ended the season ranked 12th for total all-purpose yards (1,525) and 28th nationally for all-purpose yards per game (108.9) … averaged 5.60 yards per carry on the season, which ranked 39th overall … had 12 plays on the year - both on offense and as a returner - that resulted in at least 30 yards, which ranked tied for sixth in the FBS … carried 10 times for at least 20 yards, which was tied for 29th nationally.
- IN BIG 12 RANKINGS: finished second only to BYU’s LJ Martin for total all-purpose yards (1,525) in the conference … was third overall in the league for all-purpose yards per game (108.9) behind only Arizona State’s Raleek Brown (120.5) and Martin (120.0) … ended the year eighth in the league for total rushing yards (868) and was 13th for rushing yards per game (62.0) … combined for nine touchdowns on the season, which was tied for 11th in the league … among the most-explosive players in the conference, finishing tied for the league high with 12 all-purpose plays that resulted in at least 30 yards … was tied for second with six all-purpose plays of at least 40 yards and third with four plays of 50-plus yards.
- SEASON HIGHLIGHTS:
- Opened the season by carrying six times for 56 yards and a touchdown against Arkansas-Pine Bluff (8/30), finding the end zone via a 5-yard scamper in the second quarter … had nine carries for 54 yards and three receptions for 35 yards the next week versus Kent State (9/6).
- Closed non-conference play by carrying 13 times for 48 yards and a touchdown versus Oregon State (9/13) to go along with career highs of seven catches for 116 yards and another score … both touchdowns came in the second quarter via a 30-yard pass from Behren Morton for a 21-0 lead and then a 3-yard rush less than four minutes later … one of three Red Raiders with at least 100 receiving yards in the win, joining both Terrance Carter Jr. and Coy Eakin … marked the first time Texas Tech boasted three 100-yard receivers in the same game since Jakeem Grant, Bradley Marquez and DeAndre Washington did so versus Baylor in 2014.
- The win over Oregon State kicked off an eight-game stretch with more than 100 all-purpose yards … began Big 12 play with 11 carries for 43 yards and two receptions for 71 yards at Utah (9/20) … performance included a 73-yard reception on Texas Tech’s opening drive, the longest of his career … broke numerous tackles before being downed in the red zone, setting up a Cameron Dickey touchdown run a few plays later fo an early 7-0 lead.
- Hit the 100-yard mark for the first time on the season two weeks later at Houston, carrying a career-high 20 times for 109 yards and two touchdowns in the win … broke the game open with a 5-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter for a 22-3 lead and then found the end zone from only 1-yard out to seal the victory early in the fourth quarter … marked the first multi-touchdown rushing game of his career and his second overall of his career.
- Followed with nine carries for 48 yards versus Kansas (10/11), three attempts for 22 yards at Arizona State (10/18) and then four carries for 10 yards against Oklahoma State (10/25) … inserted as a kick returner for the first time versus the Sun Devils, bringing back two attempts for 87 yards thanks to a 31-yard return in the second quarter and a 56-yarder to start the fourth.
- Delivered one of the most-explosive returns of the season a week later versus Oklahoma State, bringing back the opening kick 99 yards for a touchdown … marked the first kickoff return for a touchdown by a Red Raider since Drae McCray went 100 yards early in the 2023 season versus Houston … was the first time the Red Raiders returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown since Keke Coutee went 92 yards to start a 2017 win over Baylor … later scored on the Red Raiders’ first play from scrimmage via a 26-yard touchdown reception as part of three catches for 60 yards overall … named the Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Week and to the Paul Hornung Award honor roll for his performance.
- Proceeded to rush for at least 60 yards in five of the final six games of the season, beginning at Kansas State (11/1) with 17 carries for a career-high 135 yards and a touchdown … helped the Red Raiders come out of halftime to take a 19-7 lead thanks to a 41-yard touchdown scamper … returned home for 13 carries for 77 yards and two receptions for 32 yards against BYU (11/8) and then seven carries for 45 yards and for catches for 30 yards versus UCF (11/15) … returned his first punt of the season against the Knights, resulting in 16 yards … closed the regular season with 15 carries for 60 yards and a touchdown at West Virginia (11/29) to go along with one punt return for five yards and two catches for 11 yards.
- One of the Red Raiders’ top performers in the Edward Jones Big 12 Championship win over BYU (12/6) with 15 carries for 80 yards, including a 23-yard scamper late in the second quarter that led to a late field goal … rushed 13 times for 81 yards in the Capital One Orange Bowl versus Oregon (1/1) to go along with five catches for 17 yards and two kick returns for 35 yards.
2024 SEASON (FRESHMAN)
- Emerged as a potential standout at running back following a stellar performance in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl … appeared in 10 games as a true freshman, making one start, which came versus Arkansas in the bowl game … joined with fellow true freshman Cameron Dickey as backups to Tahj Brooks throughout the season.
- Likely was destined to redshirt early in the season until a season-ending injury to Cam’Ron Valdez … member of the scout team the first few weeks of the season … in fact, tabbed the offensive scout team player of the week following Texas Tech’s season-opening win over Abilene Christian (8/31).
- Finished with 236 rushing yards and two touchdowns on the season off 41 carries, which ranked second on the team slightly ahead of Dickey … bulk of his yardage and carries came in the bowl game, however … made at least one rush attempt in eight of his 10 games played … contributed via the passing game in one of the two games without a rushing attempt.
- Threat in the passing game and as a returner, catching 10 passes for 100 yards and a touchdown, while returning 12 kicks for 296 yards (24.7 average) … was fifth on the team with 63.2 all-purpose yards per game and fifth overall with 632 all-purpose yards on the season.
- Served as Texas Tech’s primary kick returner late in Big 12 play following an injury to fellow speedster Drae McCray … boasted two kick returns of at least 40 yards with one of those pushing the Red Raiders past midfield at 50-plus yards.
- Credited with 118 offensive snaps by Pro Football Focus and additional 45 on special teams (all on kick or punt returns) … received a 75.3 overall grade by PFF, which ranked sixth on the offense … did not allow a pressure as a pass blocker in his 12 opportunities on the season.
- AWARDS AND HONORS: recognized as the Offensive Player of the Game (visiting team) for the AutoZone Liberty Bowl.
- IN NCAA RANKINGS: ended the season tied for 20th in the FBS for kick return average (24.7), just behind Drae McCray (25.4) at No. 14 in the rankings … Texas Tech was the only FBS school with two returners ranked in the top 20 of the final national rankings … as a team, the Red Raiders shared the FBS lead with five combined kick returns (between McCray and Williams) that went at least 40 yards … the Red Raiders were also tied for sixth for kick returns of 30 or more yards (7) and second for 50-plus yard returns (2).
- IN BIG 12 RANKINGS: was third in the league for kick return average behind only BYU’s Keelan Marion (26.2) and McCray (25.4) … was one of six returners in the league to have two or more kick returns of at least 40 yards … as a team, the Red Raiders led the league for kick returns of at least 30 yards (7), 40 yards (5) and shared the conference high for 50 or more yards (3).
- SEASON HIGHLIGHTS:
- Made his Red Raider debut with four carries for 27 yards and a touchdown in the win over North Texas (9/14) … caught one pass for 10 yards in the rout as well … found the end zone for the first time in his career via a three-yard rushing touchdown with 4:06 remaining in the third quarter … the touchdown run pushed Texas Tech’s lead to 59-14 at the time.
- Found the end zone via the air against Baylor (10/19) as part of two catches for 22 yards and a touchdown … did not have a rushing attempt in the loss … connected with Behren Morton on an 18-yard reception with 6:31 remaining in regulation for his first career touchdown catch.
- Saw an increased role offensively with eight carries for 42 yards against TCU (10/26) … inserted as Texas Tech’s primary kick returner for the first time with three returns for 62 yards … finished with 104 all-purpose yards, marking the first of three games on the season with 100-plus yards.
- Contributed to the win over ranked Iowa State (11/2) via four kick returns for 85 yards with a long of 28 yards … added one carry for one yard and one reception for two yards.
- Provided a spark in the return game versus Colorado (11/9) with both of his kick returns going at least 40 yards … finished with two returns for 103 yards to go along with four carries for 12 yards … returned the opening kick of the game 46 yards to set up a quick Texas Tech scoring drive that featured a Behren Morton to Jalin Conyers 17-yard touchdown pass only four plays later … set up another scoring opportunity for the Red Raiders just before halftime with a 57-yard attempt with only 19 seconds remaining … marked his longest return of the season.
- Had only one return for 13 yards in the road win over Oklahoma State (11/23) to go along with two carries for four yards … closed the regular season with five carries for 20 yards to go along with two receptions for 30 yards against West Virginia (11/30) … called on for two kick returns for 33 yards in the win as well.
- Made his first career start in place of Tahj Brooks in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl versus Arkansas (12/27), finishing with 123 yards and a touchdown off 15 carries, all season highs … added four catches for 36 yards as well, including one for a season-long 22 yards … became the first Red Raider true freshman to start at running back since Ta’Zhawn Henry did so midway through the 2018 season against TCU … his 123 rushing yards marked the most by a true freshman in his first career start since Justin Stockton ran for 135 yards versus UTEP in 2014 … scored the Red Raiders’ opening touchdown on a 54-yard touchdown run - his longest of the season - with 11:15 remaining in the second quarter … averaged 8.2 yards per carry as he and Dickey combined for 199 rushing yards on 30 combined carries.
HIGH SCHOOL
- Attended Beckville High School in Beckville, Texas, near the Texas-Louisiana state line … one of the state’s most dynamic rushers throughout high school career … during four-year run, Beckville won 42 games — a four-year best at any stretch for a school that started playing football back in 1931 … success included helping the Bearcats to three-straight district titles with all of them coming in undefeated fashion, a first for Beckville.
- Set the school rushing mark with 6,401 yards and 98 touchdowns … averaged an impressive 12.5 yards per carry on the ground … primarily split time at running back and as a slot receiver but did play behind center at quarterback during part of his senior year … threw for 1,348 yards, 17 touchdowns and six interceptions during his career behind center … on special teams, returned five punts and two kickoffs for a touchdown in his career.
- Combined for 3,116 total yards and 49 touchdowns his senior season alone … helped push the Bearcats to a 10-2 record and a District 10-2A title following an undefeated 6-0 run through the district slate … helped push Beckville to the Class 2A Division I area round that same season.
- Single-handedly kept Beckville in its area round game, running for a career-high and school record 303 yards on a career-high 28 carries … scored all four touchdowns in a 42-28 loss to Garrison, which included touchdown runs of 72, 56 and 52 yards.
- Finished his senior season with 1,901 rushing yards, which ranked second all-time in school history … his 32 rushing touchdowns set a program record, breaking the previous mark by former teammate Ryan Harris, who rushed for 31 in 2020.
- Voted the unanimous District 10-2A MVP following both his junior and senior seasons … tabbed one of 25 semifinalists for the Mr. Texas Football award by Dave Campbell’s Texas Football … named the Built Ford Tough 2A Player of the Week following six touchdowns, in four different ways, in the Bearcats’ 69-14 victory over Big Sandy … recognized as a second-team All-State honoree by Padilla Poll and an honorable mention selection as a quarterback by the Texas Sports Writers Association (TSWA) his senior season.
- Garnered first team All-State accolades by the TSWA following his 2022 junior season … registered 2,408 all-purpose yards and 39 touchdowns as a junior … also tabbed to the first ever THSCA Super Elite Team following junior season.
- A TSWA Class 2A second team All-State kick returner and an honorable mention All-State pick at running back his sophomore season … credited in helping lift the program to a 10-4 record his freshman season, its best record in two decades.
- Three-sport athlete for Beckville, starring in both basketball and track and field in addition to football … twice named to the Class 2A All-Region team on the hardwood … three-time state champion in the 110-meter hurdles during high school career at the Class 2A level … set a new personal record to complete the three-peat, clocking in at 14.19 to win the gold medal as a senior … previously posted a 14.41 time to win the state title as a sophomore before being clocked at 14.26 as a junior.
- Five-time state champion overall, also winning gold in the 300-meter hurdles as a sophomore in 2022 and in the triple jump as a junior in 2023 … set a personal record in the 300-meter hurdles, finishing at 39.21 to sweep the hurdle events as a sophomore … measured at 45’ 11.75 in the triple jump to win the Class 2A ranks his junior year … placed third at the state meet three other times during his career – in the 4x200 relay as a sophomore, in the 300-meter hurdles as a junior and in the 4x200 relay as a senior … qualified for the state meet in both the long jump and the 4x400 meter relay as only a freshman in 2021, finishing fifth overall in both events.
- Tabbed a four-star prospect by On3, ranking 27th nationally among running backs and at No. 55 among prospects from the state of Texas … considered a three-star recruit by Rivals, ESPN and 247Sports … CHOSE TEXAS TECH OVER: Baylor, Houston, LSU, Michigan, SMU, TCU, Texas and UCF, among others.
PERSONAL
- J’Koby Williams ... son of Dexter and Amber Prince ... has three siblings – an older brother, Jay, a younger brother, Jordan and a younger sister, Kenzie.
- Related to former NFL linebacker, Demorrio Williams, who played in 138 games over a nine-year professional career with the Atlanta Falcons, Kansas City Chiefs and San Diego Chargers.
- A sports management major at Texas Tech.
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