Big Cat Country
Every NFL Draft pick has a story, but CJ Williams’ journey to Jacksonville is anything but ordinary. From needing special permission to play football as a four-year-old to making Stanford history, here are five things you probably didn’t know about the Jaguars’ newest wide receiver.
Before CJ Williams became a Jaguar, he survived one of the toughest proving grounds in American high school football.
Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana is more than just a powerhouse – it’s an NFL production line. Every practice is stacked with future Power Four stars and eventual professional players, meaning earning a starting spot can be as difficult as winning games on Friday nights. Williams flourished in that environment, helping Mater Dei capture three consecutive Trinity League championships while establishing himself as one of the nation’s premier receiver prospects.
It wasn’t just football that kept him busy. Williams also competed in track and field, helping develop the speed and explosiveness that would later become hallmarks of his game. But perhaps the biggest difference came before most of his classmates had even woken up.
During his senior year, Williams regularly attended 5 a.m. workouts at Saddleback Strength & Fitness before heading to school. Those early mornings were followed by classes, football meetings, practice and homework, creating a routine that mirrored the lifestyle of a college athlete long before he arrived on campus.
Sharing locker rooms with elite recruits every year meant there was little room for complacency. At Mater Dei, talent was expected. Improvement was mandatory. That relentless environment helped produce a polished receiver whose work ethic impressed coaches at every stop of his college journey.
If you want to understand CJ Williams, start with his family.
Growing up in the Williams household, everything became a contest. Racing to the bathroom. Board games. Video games. Weight-room sessions. Even a casual game of Mortal Kombat quickly turned into a battle for bragging rights.
His younger brother once joked that no matter how much he practised, CJ always found a way to beat him at Mortal Kombat. Chess was no different. Despite his brother joining Chess Club, CJ still regularly came out on top.
Competition wasn’t encouraged in the Williams family – it was simply a way of life.
His father, Shelby “Lefty” Williams, has often spoken about his son’s desire to win, but insists the defining quality wasn’t the victories themselves. Instead, it was CJ’s willingness to outwork everyone else before expecting success. Winning was earned through preparation.
That mentality translated perfectly onto the football field. Coaches consistently praised Williams for his professionalism, attention to detail and willingness to improve every aspect of his game. Even after transferring schools multiple times, those qualities never changed.
For Williams, competition has never been limited to Saturdays. Whether it’s football, family games or a fighting game on the console, his approach remains remarkably consistent: prepare, compete and refuse to settle for second place.
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