CityView Magazine

14 August 2022 FIRST DRAFT FSU football writes a new chapter as player called up by the pros BY SAMMY BAT TEN PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF FAYET TEVILLE STATE UNIVERSIT Y I t wasn't immediate. But Fayetteville State University head football coach Richard Hayes did, in time, recognize something special about Jack Britt High School graduate Joshua Williams. "His first year, I didn't see it," Hayes says. "But his second year in (preseason) camp, he made a play on the far sideline on a deep ball. I said then, 'at's exactly what the pros are looking for.'" Two years later, Hayes' comment became reality when the 6-foot-3, 197-pound cornerback earned the distinction of being selected in the fourth round of the 2022 National Football League Dra by the Kansas City Chiefs. Williams was the 135th pick overall and became the first Fayetteville State player chosen for the pros since running back James Godwin went to the New York Jets in the 16th round of the 1976 dra. Playing for an NFL team is a long way from Jack Britt High, where Williams was known more for his prowess on the track than on the football field. He was the Mid- South 4-A Conference Athlete of the Year in track aer winning the 100-meter dash in 10.76 seconds and the 110-meter hurdles, as well as placing fourth in the 200 at the league meet. Williams also set the school record in the 100-meter dash with a 10.65 time that season. Williams' high school career on the football field wasn't nearly as impressive. His best season was as a senior aer shiing from receiver to cornerback. He made 31 tackles and two tackles for a loss. Joshua Williams, No. 2, in late April became Fayetteville State's first player since 1976 to be selected in the NFL draft.

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