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PRO: The Titans used their fifth-round pick in the 2014 NFL Draft on Kentucky linebacker Avery Williamson The 6-foot-1-inch, 246-pound defender entered the NFL with a reputation as an aggressive, downhill, sure-tackling inside linebacker. In 2016, Williamson led the team with 149 tackles and became the first player in the Titans era to start his career with back-to-back-to-back 100-tackle seasons. He had one of the most productive seasons of any Titans defensive rookie in recent memory in 2014. Even though he did not record his first start until Week 5, he produced 107 tackles to rank third on the team and record the highest tackle total by a rookie in the “Titans era” (1999–present).
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
• In 2016, Williamson led the team in tackles for the second consecutive season with 149 stops.
• In 2015, Williamson led the team with 137 tackles and ranked third on the squad with nine tackles for loss. He became the first player in the Titans era to start his career with back-to-back 100-tackle seasons.
• As a rookie, Williamson saw action in all 16 games with 12 starts at linebacker and ranked third on the team with 107 tackles. He also tied for third on the squad with three sacks.
• As a senior at Kentucky, Williamson was a team captain and led the squad in tackles for the second consecutive season. His 102 tackles tied for fourth place in the SEC.
TITANS TIDBITS:
• Williamson grew up in the West Tennessee town of Milan, which is approximately a two-hour drive from Nashville. He lists Eddie George, Steve McNair and Jevon Kearse as his favorite Titans as a child.
• During the 2016 offseason, Williamson spent time as an analyst on the set of NFL Network.
• One of Williamson’s “bucket list” items is to see the pyramids in Egypt.
• In 2013, he was chosen to represent the Kentucky football program on a one-week educational/service trip in Ethiopia.
CAREER TRANSACTIONS:
• The Milan, Tenn., native was selected by the Titans in the fifth round (151st overall) of the 2014 NFL Draft.
COLLEGE:
• In a four-year career at Kentucky, Williamson played in 49 games with 21 starts. He finished his career with 296 total tackles, including double-digit tackles in 12 career contests. After primarily serving on special teams in his first two years, he went over the 100-tackle mark as a junior (135) and senior (102).
• As a senior (2013), played in 12 games with 11 starts and finished the season as Kentucky’s leading tackler for the second consecutive year, posting 102 total tackles to tie for fourth in the SEC. Additionally, he posted four tackles for loss, one sack, three quarterback hurries and two fumble recoveries. Served as captain in all 12 games. Had double-digit tackles in four games. Named All-SEC first team by CollegeSportsMadness.com. Earned All-SEC second-team honors from Associated Press, SEC Coaches, ESPN.com, Phil Steele’s College Football and Athlon Sports. Also named to the SEC Community Service Team.
• As a junior (2012), registered 10 starts in 12 games and finished first on the team, second in the SEC and placed seventh nationally with 135 total tackles. Earned second-team All-SEC honors from CollegeSportsMadness.com and third-team All-SEC by Phil Steele’s College Football. Had eight double-figure tackle performances. Recorded a streak of four games with at least 13 tackles in each game, the first UK player to do so since Randy Holleran in 1990. Additional contributions during the season included 4.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, an interception, four passes defensed, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.
• As a sophomore (2011), played in all 12 games and registered 49 tackles, a tackle for loss, an interception, a pass defensed and a forced fumble. Recorded at least two tackles in every game.
• As a freshman (2010), played in all 13 games, helping give the Wildcats depth at middle linebacker and totaled 10 tackles and one pass breakup.
• At the 2014 NFL Scouting Combine, he placed sixth among linebackers with a 4.66-second 40-yard dash and third among his position group with a 4.07-second short shuttle.
• Graduated in 2014 with a degree in integrated strategic communications.
PERSONAL:
• Attended Milan (Tenn.) High School, where he was a first-team Class AAA All-State linebacker as tabbed by the Tennessee Sports Writers Association. Led Milan to consecutive state championship finals with identical 14-1 records as a junior and senior. Named Region Defensive Player of the Year as a junior and senior. Named one of the top 15 players in Tennessee by Rivals.com.
• As a senior, named West Tennessee Player of the Year by the Jackson Sun. Made 125 tackles with one interception during the regular season in his senior year, and he also rushed for 416 yards and seven touchdowns at fullback.
• As a junior, collected 119 tackles, including 21 for loss. He set a Tennessee state championship game record with 22 tackles in the title contest.
• Was named the Outstanding Senior of his graduating high school class, recognizing academics, character and athletics. He was also a member of the honor-student club and the Spanish Club.
• At Kentucky, he was active in the community, participating in the Big Blue U Move-In (2011, 2012), the God’s Pantry project (2012, 2013), Read Across America (2012, 2013), Salvation Army bellringing (2012), the “Be the Match” bone marrow drive (2012) and several school visits.
• List of favorites: (movie) “Friday”; (TV show) “Chappelle’s Show”; (music artist) Yo Gotti; (school subject) public speaking; (car) Lamborghini; (books) mysteries; (food) baked chicken; and (athlete as a child) Ray Lewis.
• Follow Williamson on Twitter and Instagram at @AWilliamson54.
• Born Avery Milton Williamson on March 9, 1992 in Cleveland, Ohio.
