CB Trevor Williams manages being tackled after an interception against Temple in 2015. Photo by: Michael Corsey @ Michael Corsey Photography

Williams is sixth member of the 2015 Penn State squad to be drafted or signed

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa., April 30, 2016 – Penn State cornerback Trevor Williams (Baltimore, Md.) has signed a National Football League undrafted free agent contract with the San Diego Chargers. He is the first of several Nittany Lions expected to officially sign NFL rookie free agent contracts.

Williams is the sixth player of the 2015 Penn State squad to be drafted or signed by NFL teams this spring. The Tennessee Titans selected defensive tackle Austin Johnson (Galloway, N.J.) and the New York Jets picked quarterback Christian Hackenberg (Palmyra, Va.) in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft. Defensive end Carl Nassib (West Chester, Pa.) was the third round selection of the Cleveland Brown, while defensive lineman Anthony Zettel (West Branch, Mich.) and defensive back Jordan Lucas (New Rochelle, N.Y.) were selected in the sixth round.

“This is an outstanding opportunity for Trevor,” Penn State Head Coach James Franklin said. “Trevor was a mainstay on our defense for three seasons. His speed, length and intelligence will give him a chance to continue his career. He earned his degree in just three and a half years while leading our defense with a quiet confidence.”

“Trevor Williams is a big corner which is hard to find,” Penn State assistant head coach and cornerbacks coach Terry Smith said. “He’s very reliable and smart on top of making few mistakes. He is a good cover corner that tackles well.”

Williams was a two-time All-Big Ten honorable mention choice during his career. He appeared in 49 of 50 games in his career, including 31 starts. As a senior, Williams had 33 tackles, three pass breakups and four passes defended en route to earning All-Big Ten honorable mention from the coaches. Williams was named the team’s Ridge Riley Memorial Award winner for the senior member of the team that exhibits the core values of sportsmanship, scholarship, leadership and friendship.

In 2014, Williams claimed All-Big Ten honorable mention honors from the conference’s media contingent after recording 27 tackles (22 solo), two interceptions and five pass breakups. He was named the Big Ten Co-Defensive Player of the Week on Sept. 15 after intercepting a pair of passes and recording five tackles at Rutgers. He was the Penn State defensive back with multiple interceptions in a game since safety Nick Sukay had two against Temple in 2010.

As a sophomore, Williams moved from wide receiver to cornerback during spring practice. He found success in the defensive backfield with 24 tackles and 10 passes defended, which was tied for 11th in the Big Ten. He also had eight pass breakups and two interceptions in 2013. As a wide receiver in 2012, Williams had 10 catches for 97 yards and returned four kickoffs for a 19.8-yard average.

He graduated in December with a degree in recreation, parks and tourism management.

There were 27 former Nittany Lions with NFL teams during the 2015 season, again placing Penn State in the top 20 nationally among schools in producing current NFL players.