JJ Williams (soccer)
|
Williams at a Columbus Crew SC event in 2019 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Jerome Williams Jr. | ||
| Date of birth | January 4, 1998 | ||
| Place of birth | Clovis, New Mexico, US | ||
| Height | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | ||
| Position(s) | Forward | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Rhode Island FC | ||
| Number | 9 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2007–20?? | Capital City Streaks | ||
| –2016 | Vestavia Hills SC | ||
| College career | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2016–2018 | Kentucky Wildcats | 57 | (24) |
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2016 | Birmingham Hammers | 5 | (0) |
| 2017 | Reading United | 7 | (1) |
| 2018 | Dayton Dutch Lions | 12 | (7) |
| 2019 | Columbus Crew | 7 | (0) |
| 2019 | → Birmingham Legion (loan) | 21 | (7) |
| 2020 | Atlanta United | 1 | (0) |
| 2020 | → Atlanta United 2 (loan) | 1 | (0) |
| 2020 | → Birmingham Legion (loan) | 4 | (0) |
| 2021 | Birmingham Legion | 27 | (5) |
| 2022 | FC Tulsa | 22 | (9) |
| 2022 | Phoenix Rising | 13 | (3) |
| 2023 | Tampa Bay Rowdies | 31 | (12) |
| 2024– | Rhode Island FC | 26 | (6) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of November 2, 2024 | |||
Jerome Williams Jr. (born January 4, 1998) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a forward for USL Championship club Rhode Island FC. He previously appeared at the semi-professional level for Birmingham Hammers, Reading United, and Dayton Dutch Lions and as a professional with Columbus Crew, Atlanta United, Atlanta United 2, Birmingham Legion, FC Tulsa, Phoenix Rising, and Tampa Bay Rowdies.
Although he was born in Clovis, New Mexico, Williams grew up in Montgomery, Alabama, and attended Alabama Christian Academy. After scoring 122 goals while in high school, he spent three years playing at the University of Kentucky. Williams was a first team all-American and the C-USA Men's Soccer Player of the Year in 2018. He also spent time during the collegiate offseason with Birmingham Hammers, Reading United, and Dayton Dutch Lions. Williams signed a Generation Adidas contract with Major League Soccer ahead of the 2019 MLS SuperDraft and was selected in the first round by Columbus Crew. He spent most of his rookie year on loan to Birmingham Legion before being waived by the Crew ahead of the 2020 season, eventually finding his way to Atlanta United.