Williams was named Polk County Defensive Player of the Year as a junior and 3A second-team All-State honors as a senior.

He was the back-up at middle linebacker, behind upper-classmen Derek Nicholson and Dekoda Watson, and saw action in every game except the win at Miami (FL).

As a redshirt sophomore in 2010, Williams earned playing time behind senior Kendall Smith at middle linebacker after enjoying an outstanding spring practice.

Williams ended his college career with a career-high 10 tackles in the 2013 Orange Bowl win over Northern Illinois which included his first sack of the season.

[7] After the release of Stevenson Sylvester, Williams was moved up the depth chart as primary backup at left inside linebacker to Larry Foote.

[8][9] Foote suffered a torn bicep in Week 1 against the Titans, and the Steelers went through multiple starters until Williams started 10 of the last 11 games.

He made his professional regular-season debut in the Steelers' season opener against the Tennessee Titans and played only on special teams.

[7] Williams resumed 2016 as the backup inside linebacker and earned his first start of the season on October 2, 2016, against the Kansas City Chiefs after Ryan Shazier suffered an injury.

[10] Williams entered training camp slated as a starting inside linebacker after Lawrence Timmons was not re-signed by the Steelers and departed during free agency.

Head coach Mike Tomlin named Williams and Ryan Shazier the starting inside linebackers to begin the regular season.

[11] On October 15, 2017, Williams recorded five solo tackles and made a career-high two sacks on Chiefs’ quarterback Alex Smith during a 19–13 win at the Kansas City Chirfs in Week 6.

On December 17, 2017, Williams made three solo tackles, a pass deflection, and his first career interception as the Steelers lost 27–24 against the New England Patriots in Week 15.

Williams intercepted a pass by Patriots’ quarterback Tom Brady, that was initially intended for tight end Rob Gronkowski, and returned it for a 13-yard gain during the third quarter.

[15][7] Williams returned as a starting inside linebacker and was paired with Jon Bostic who replaced Ryan Shazier due to a possible career-ending spinal contusion.

[16] On November 8, 2018, Williams made four combined tackles, one pass deflection, one sack, and returned an interception for his first career touchdown during a 52–21 win against Carolina Panthers in Week 10.

Williams intercepted a pass by Cam Newton, that was intended for wide receiver Devin Funchess, and returned it for a 17-yard touchdown during the first quarter.

[19] Williams finished the season with 76 combined tackles (50 solo), 4.5 sacks, two pass deflections, one interception, and one touchdown in 14 games and 14 starts.

[22] In Week 7 against the Tennessee Titans, Williams led the team with 10 tackles (8 solo) and sacked Ryan Tannehill once during the 27–24 win.