Former star CFL receiver Duke Williams scores game-winning touchdown in NFL debut with Buffalo Bills

Receiver Duke Williams made an immediate impact for the Buffalo Bills.

First career @NFL game.
First career touchdown catch. #BUFvsTEN | #GoBills pic.twitter.com/eHJeEdleUr

— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) October 6, 2019

Williams was promoted to the active roster by the Bills for their Week 5 game against the Tennessee Titans and scored the game-winning touchdown. Head coach Sean McDermott loved his juice. He had a standout pre-season, grabbing the attention of quarterback Josh Allen. The 26-year-old earned a practice roster following training camp.

Duke Williams on what it was like to score his first NFL (game winning) TD and to do it in front of #BillsMafia in Nashville pic.twitter.com/QF1VNAE5lC

— Jenna Cottrell (@JennaCottrell) October 6, 2019

The Los Angeles, California native moved to Louisiana for high school. As a senior at East St. John High School, Williams scored 25 touchdowns and recorded 1,495 yards. He elected to go the junior college route, attending Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College for the 2012 and 2013 seasons, making 118 receptions for 2,028 yards and 26 touchdowns.

That led to Williams being rated the No. 1 JUCO prospect and committed to a scholarship with Auburn University. Following his NCAA career, the Los Angeles Rams signed Williams to an undrafted free agent contract, but he was among the team’s final training camp cuts.

After recording a CFL-leading 1,579 receiving yards on 88 catches adding a league-high-tying 11 touchdowns with the Edmonton Eskimos a year ago, Williams earned a new NFL opportunity. At 6-foot-3 and 225 pounds, Williams has a pro frame and is already using it to be productive south of the border.

Duke Williams might not be the biggest, strongest, fastest NFL receiver but he certainly has heart. Williams going from undrafted to CFL player to now having an NFL TD. pic.twitter.com/TctvZ4WNx0

— Jenna Cottrell (@JennaCottrell) October 6, 2019

Williams has caught all four of his targets from Allen for 29 yards and one touchdown. Buffalo wanted to add a physical target to the offence and it’s paid dividends. The Bills won 14-7 and improved to 4-1 so far in 2019. The victory should bode well for Williams playing time moving forward.