BALTIMORE, Md. (August 27, 2025) – The Minnesota Vikings today announced that defensive tackle Elijah Williams, a rookie undrafted free agent from Morgan State University, has earned a spot on the team's 53-man active roster for the 2025 NFL season.
Williams, an FCS consensus All-American, signed with Minnesota following the 2025 NFL Draft. Despite his undrafted status, the 6-3, 270-pound pass rusher impressed coaches and teammates throughout training camp with his relentless motor and physicality.
Minnesota Vikings Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores recalled how Defensive Backs Coach Daronte Jones first spotted Williams during a visit to his alma mater, Morgan State. Flores noted that Jones returned from the trip energized, saying, "He came back and said, 'Hey, this guy's got a little something to him.'" (via Vikings.com).
That early impression carried through the summer, as Williams emerged as one of Minnesota's most consistent performers during the preseason. He totaled 8 tackles (5 solo) and four quarterback pressures across three games, highlighted by standout efforts in the opener against Houston and the exhibition finale versus Tennessee — contributions that ultimately helped secure his place on the Vikings' roster.
At Morgan State, the Jersey City, New Jersey native, carved out a name for himself as one of the most dominant defensive forces to ever wear a Morgan State uniform. His senior season became a veritable trophy haul, a testament to his relentless pursuit of excellence. The accolades poured in: MEAC Defensive Player of the Year, AFCA Championship Subdivision Coaches' All-American, a coveted spot as a Buck Buchanan Award finalist, BOXTOROW HBCU All-American, and Stats Perform FCS All-American. Further solidifying his place among the nation's elite, Williams was recognized as one of just ten finalists for the Urban Edge Network's inaugural HBCU+ National Player of the Year Award.
Williams played in 42 games at Morgan State from 2021-24, recording 216 tackles, 52 tackles for loss, 31 sacks, three passes defensed, three forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery. In his final season with the Bears, Williams registered career highs in games played (12) and sacks (11), and his 15 tackles for loss were the second most in a season in his career, trailing only his total from the 2022 season (19). Williams, who logged 4.0 sacks as a freshman in 2021, tallied at least 7.0 sacks in each of his final three seasons from 2022-24.
His remarkable contributions on the field have propelled him to a spot in the annals of the MEAC, where his career sack total ranks seventh all-time. Notably, he finds himself in close company with fellow Bear James Dozier, who holds the sixth position with his own impressive count of 31.5 sacks from 1987 to 1990.
With his roster spot secured, Williams becomes the first Morgan State player since Joshua Miles, an offensive lineman who was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the 7th round (248th overall) of the 2019 NFL Draft. Miles became the first Bear selected in the draft since Visanthe Shiancoe in 2003. He played both tackle and guard positions at Morgan State and was an All-MEAC performer. Miles made the Cardinals' 53-man roster as a rookie.
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ABOUT MORGAN
Morgan State University, founded in 1867, is a Carnegie-classified high research (R2) institution offering nearly 140 academic programs leading to degrees from the baccalaureate to the doctorate. As Maryland's Preeminent Public Urban Research University, and the only university to have its entire campus designated as a National Treasure by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Morgan serves a multiethnic and multiracial student body and seeks to ensure that the doors of higher education are opened as wide as possible to as many as possible. For more information about Morgan State University, visit www.morgan.edu.
