The Graz Giants of the Austrian Football League have signed quarterback Tyrone Williams Jr.
The Giants reached the playoffs in 2021 but were eliminated by the Dacia Vienna Vikings 21-18. Graz’s new passer will look to make the Giants contenders in a wide-open Austrian Football League:
“I am proud to announce I have signed with the Graz Giants. The opportunity to win a championship, travel the world and also play with my brother while doing it is something I couldn’t refuse. This organization stands for everything that I want to play for and I love the vision they have. To the fans and Graz nation, I can promise that you’ll always get more than 100% from me and that we’ll finish this thing off right in 2022“
The 6’5″ 235 pound Williams comes to Graz after playing collegiately for Azusa Pacific (NCAA D2) for four seasons, before moving on to Univerity of La Verne (NCAA D3) for his final NCAA season. The Stockton, California native, started his final two seasons with the Cougars earning second-team all-conference his junior season while leading his team to a conference championship. In three seasons at Azusa Pacific, Williams threw for 4,928 yards, 38 touchdowns, and 19 interceptions. On the ground, the well-built passer added 460 yards and seven scores, playing in 24 contests.
After the pandemic canceled his season in 2020, the Criminology major transferred for his final season of NCAA football to the University of La Verne (NCAA D3). With the Leopards, Williams threw for 1,441 yards, 11 touchdowns, and five interceptions, while adding another four scores and 67 yards on the ground.
Williams will have a familiar face by his side as he joins Azusa Pacific teammate Darrell Adams in eastern Austria. Adams was the Austrian league’s leading receiver with 40 receptions for 823 yards and 11 touchdowns in just eight games. During their college days, the duo connected for nine scores. Now in Europe, they’ll look to build on that chemistry as Graz aims to make a run at the Austrian Bowl.
Williams on playing with Adams again:
“I always kept up with the games last year because I’d watch Darrell Adams play, and to then get so close to the championship and not make it, hurt me as well because I felt his pain.”
