NFF National Scholar-Athletes
WR – Mississippi State University
4.00 GPA – Business Administration
Head Coach: Mike Leach | Athletics Director: John Cohen
Faculty Athletics Representative: Dr. Brent Fountain
Taking full advantage of the opportunities provided by college football, Austin Williams has already earned two degrees from Mississippi State, including an MBA, while maintaining a perfect 4.0 GPA. The Ocean Springs, Mississippi, native becomes the Bulldogs' fifth NFF National Scholar-Athlete.
After graduating summa cum laude with a degree in business administration in just three years, Williams earned his MBA in August 2021, and he is on pace to earn a second master's degree in workforce leadership this December. A two-time First Team Academic All-American and First Team Academic All-District selection, he was named the 2021-22 SEC McWhorter Scholar-Athlete of the Year across all sports. The 2019-20 MSU Student-Athlete of the Year is a Stephen D. Lee Scholar and a five-time member of the SEC Academic Honor Roll.
This season, Williams has 18 receptions for 187 yards while ranking second on the team with four touchdown receptions. The two-year captain has guided Mississippi State to a 5-3 record.
The two-time MSU Iron Dawg Award recipient has led the Bulldogs to four postseason berths, including a victory in the 2020 Armed Forces Bowl. In 2021, Williams finished third on the team with 617 receiving yards while reaching the end zone four times. He finished third on the squad in receiving in 2020 as well with 372 yards. Williams ranks seventh in school annals with 134 career receptions while ranking sixth at MSU with 16 career receiving touchdowns. He now boasts 1,432 career receiving yards.
A member of the MSU Football Leadership Council, Williams has represented the Bulldogs at SEC Media Days the last two seasons. The 2021 SEC Community Service Team member has served on a mission trip to the Dominican Republic, visited patients at Batson Children's Hospital, volunteered with MSU's Stronger Together Water Drive and participated in National Read Across America Day with local schools. Williams spent 2021-22 as a mentor to a local student at Partnership Middle School, and he received the 2022 CFA Society Mississippi Award for leadership, impactful contributions, outstanding service and commitment to ethics and standards.
