Maxx Williams

Class:
Redshirt Sophomore
Position:
TE
Hometown:
Waconia, Minn.
High School:
Waconia HS

CAREER: Declared for the 2015 NFL Draft after his redshirt sophomore season • played in 25 career games • made 61 receptions (seventh all-time in program history for a tight end) for 986 yards (third all-time in program history for a tight end) and 13 touchdowns (tenth in school history for any player) • averaged 16.2 yards-per-catch • scored five touchdowns as a freshman and eight as a sophomore • eight receiving touchdowns are a single-season record for a Minnesota tight end and the most ever for a Gopher sophomore • named the 2014 Kwalick-Clark Big Ten Tight End of the Year as a sophomore and was voted All-Big Ten First Team by the coaches and media • named a 2014 Mackey Award Finalist as a sophomore, becoming only the third sophomore ever to be a finalist • named 2014 First Team Capital One Academic All-American as a sophomore (Minnesota[apos]s first Academic All-America First Team selection since Justin Conzemius in 1994) • named 2014 First Team All-American by Sporting News, by the Football Writers Association of America and by Phil Steele • named 2014 Second Team All-American by Associated Press, Walter Camp and CBS Sports • named 2014 Third Team All-American by Athlon Sports • received 2014 College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) Tight End Trophy.

2014 • SOPHOMORE SEASON: Played in 12 games and started 10 • led team in receptions (36), yards (569), receiving touchdowns (8) and was fourth in yards-per-reception (15.8) • his 569 receiving yards and eight receiving touchdowns are a single-season record for a Minnesota tight end • his eight receiving touchdowns are most ever by a Gopher sophomore • twenty eight of his 36 catches resulted in either a touchdown or first down • named the Kwalick-Clark Big Ten Tight End of the Year as a sophomore and was voted All-Big Ten First Team by the coaches and media • named a Mackey Award Finalist as a sophomore, becoming only the third sophomore ever to be a finalist • named team[apos]s Tight End / Fullback of the Year • named First Team Capital One Academic All-American as a sophomore (Minnesota[apos]s first Academic All-America First Team selection since Justin Conzemius in 1994) • Academic All-Big Ten • named First Team All-American by Sporting News, by the Football Writers Association of America and by Phil Steele • named Second Team All-American by Associated Press, Walter Camp and CBS Sports • named Third Team All-American by Athlon Sports • received 2014 College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) Tight End Trophy. Game-by-Game: Caught two passes for 57 yards against Eastern Illinois • caught one pass, a 27-yard touchdown, against Middle Tennessee • hauled in three passes for 26 yards, which included a 12-yard touchdown from Chris Streveler • missed the San Jose State game with an injury • caught four passes for 51 yards and one touchdown at Michigan as he was named John Mackey Tight End of the Week • had two receptions for 64 yards, including a career-long 52-yard catch, against Northwestern • made three catches for 22 yards and one touchdown against Purdue • caught two passes for 33 yards at Illinois • caught five passes - including a career-high three touchdowns - for 46 yards against Iowa • became the 12th Gopher ever to catch three touchdown passes in one game • became the first tight end to catch three touchdowns since Ben Utecht did at Louisiana-Lafayette in 2002 and the first to do so in a Big Ten game since Jay Carroll against Ohio State in 1981 • made three catches for 47 yards against Ohio State • caught three passes for 45 yards at Nebraska • hauled in one pass for 53 yards at Wisconsin • recorded career highs in receptions (7) and receiving yards (98) and scored one touchdown against Missouri.

2013 • FRESHMAN SEASON: Played in 13 games and started seven • led team in receiving yards (417) and tied for the team lead in receptions (25) and receiving touchdowns (5) • lone rush came on a fake punt where he picked up 7 yards and a first down • returned two kickoffs for 29 yards • finished third on the team in all-purpose yards with 453 (7 rushing, 417 receiving, 29 kick return) • shared Outstanding Offensive Freshman of the Year honors with Donovahn Jones • named to Athlon[apos]s Freshman All-America Third Team • named Academic All-Big Ten. Game-by-Game: Started and made his collegiate debut against UNLV • first career catch was a 10-yard touchdown against the Rebels • also returned a kickoff 14 yards against UNLV • made two catches for 37 yards at New Mexico State • caught two passes for 52 yards (longest was 33 yards) against Western Illinois • played against San Jose State, but did not record any statistics • started against Iowa, but did not record any statistics • made five catches for 54 yards and one touchdown at Michigan • competed at Northwestern, but did not record any statistics • caught one pass for 20 yards against Nebraska • caught four passes, including a game-winning 50-yard touchdown, for 78 yards at Indiana • hauled in two passes for 48 yards and scored one touchdown against Penn State • had 31 receiving yards on two catches against Wisconsin • picked up a first down after rushing for 7 yards on a fake punt at Michigan State and also caught one pass for 11 yards • had five catches for 76 yards and one touchdown against Syracuse.

2012: Redshirted.

HIGH SCHOOL: Graduate of Waconia High School • Rivals.com ranked him as the No. 7 player in Minnesota, while Scout.com ranked as the No. 48 tight end in the nation • played in Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl as a punter, but also saw action at tight end, catching a touchdown pass during the game • earned All-State honors from the AP and Minnesota Vikings • third-team All-Metro by the Star-Tribune as a senior • earned All-Metro honors from KARE-11 as a punter in 2010 • passed for 784 yards and eight touchdowns as a quarterback in 2011, while rushing 120 times for 902 yards and 13 scores • recorded 80 tackles and two interceptions as a senior • coached by Pat Foley.

PERSONAL: Born April 12, 1994 • son of Brian and Rochele Williams • Brian, who lettered at Minnesota from 1986-88, was drafted by and played for the NFL[apos]s New York Giants from 1989-99 • grandfather Robert played quarterback at Notre Dame and was drafted by Chicago in 1959 • Rochelle played volleyball at the University of Minnesota from 1984-87 and received the Big Ten Medal of Honor in 1988 • uncle Ron played football for the Gophers and played two seasons of professional football for Barcelona in the World League of American Football.