Williams grew up in Fayetteville, North Carolina and attended Jack Britt High School, where he played football and ran track.

After graduating from Jack Britt, he completed a postgraduate year at Palmetto Prep in Columbia, South Carolina.

[1] Williams primarily played the nickel cornerback position as a freshman at Fayetteville State University.

[4] As a senior, he had 31 tackles with nine passes defended and three interceptions, one of which he returned 32 yards for a touchdown, and was named first-team All-Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association.

[12] In the AFC Championship against the Cincinnati Bengals, Williams had an interception on Joe Burrow which helped the Chiefs preserve the lead and win 23–20 when the game was tied at 20.