#8 Joejuan Williams
CB
HONORS
2018 Associated Press Second Team All-SEC DB
2018 Coaches Second Team All-SEC DB
2018 SEC Academic Honor Roll
2017 SEC Academic Honor Roll
2016-17 SEC Freshman Academic Honor Roll
2018
Williams enjoyed his finest season as a Commodore, earning All-SEC honors from both the league head coaches and Associated Press… In his third year with the program, Williams started 12 games while appearing in all 13 games, earning a reputation as one of the Southeastern Conference’s top cornerbacks… He finished the regular season with several single-season career highs, including four interceptions, 18 passes defended, 48 solo tackles and 61 total tackles… Williams topped the conference with 14 pass breakups and 18 passes defended… Williams’ four-interception total ranked second in the SEC… Posted at least three tackles in 11 of 13 games… Registered career highs at Missouri with eight unassisted tackles and nine total tackles… Contributed interceptions against Nevada, Arkansas, Florida and Ole Miss… Also registered eight total tackles against Georgia and Florida… Had five solo stops, an interception and four pass breakups in victory over Ole Miss… Had two passes defended in win over Tennessee… Contributed five total tackles and three defensed passes against Baylor in Texas Bowl.
2017
In his second year on campus, Williams took control of the cornerback role across from senior Tre Herndon… Williams started every game at cornerback in the Commodore secondary… Established several single-season highs, including 33 solo stops, 39 total tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 10 defensed passes and a forced fumble… Defensed pass total ranked second on team… Registered at least two tackles in last 10 games… Posted career-high eight tackles in win against Kansas State and against Alabama… Had season-high seven solo stops in win over Western Kentucky.
2016
One of six true freshmen to see action, the talented Williams played in all 13 games… Enjoyed his finest moments late in the season when he was contributing in the team’s primary cornerback rotation with Tre Herndon and Torren McGaster… Concluded the year with 14 solo tackles among 19 total stops and a defensed pass… Enjoyed his finest game in the season finale, registering three solo stops and a tackle for loss among four total tackles vs. NC State in the Camping World Independence Bowl… Registered a pair of solo tackles in home wins over Ole Miss and Tennessee.
HIGH SCHOOL
Did not play as senior after hardship appeal was denied by state high school governance association… Transferred to Hendersonville (Tenn.) HS as a senior after playing two years of varsity football at Father Ryan HS in Nashville… As junior at Father Ryan, registered 48 tackles, two interceptions and 11 pass breakups as in 2014… Earned All-State and All-Conference honors as a junior… Contributed 21 tackles and an interception return for touchdown as sophomore… Participated in track & field.
PERSONAL
Entered Vanderbilt classes in January 2016… Joejuan Lamont Williams… Born Dec. 6, 1997… Son of Stephanie Robertson… Has an older brother, Deontre… Born and raised in Nashville area… Working toward a degree in economics.
CAREER HIGHS
Total Tackles: 9, at Missouri, 10/10/2018
Solo Tackles: 8, at Missouri, 10/10/2018
Interceptions: 1 (4x) last vs. Ole Miss, 11/17/2018
Pass Breakups: 4, vs. Ole Miss, 11/17/2018
Forced Fumbles: 1, vs. Alabama, 9/23/2017