Morgan State’s Elijah Williams has his heart set on a bigger prize than records: the NFL

While NFL draft opportunities for prospects from historically Black colleges and universities have been scarce in recent years, Morgan State University senior defensive lineman Elijah Williams, known in the Morgan community as “Agent Zero,” has bolstered the university’s hopes of sending another player to the NFL.

Williams, who ranks second in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference this season in sacks (11) and second in total tackles for loss (14), broke Morgan’s career tackles for loss record Nov. 17 in the Bears’ 54-7 loss to South Carolina State University. He now holds the record with 50.5.

This season, Williams has accumulated a laundry list of accolades, including being selected to the Preseason MEAC First Team Defense and the BOXTOROW 2024 HBCU Preseason All-America team, as well as being named the Phil Steele MEAC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year. But his focus isn’t on those achievements.

“I don’t ever think about chasing stats or any accolades when I’m in the game. I’m just thinking about the game, what I can do to make my team win and the best way I can do my job on the field,” Williams said. “The accolades are cool, but they always take a back seat to what’s in front of me.”

CBS Sports HQ analyst Emory Hunt, who has called Morgan State football games since 2015, believes Williams has the skill to play in the NFL.

“Personally, I believe he is the best overall HBCU prospect on the defensive line in the draft class,” Hunt said in August. 

Hunt told Andscape that Williams’ versatility could help him excel in professional football.

“Williams has the position versatility and flexibility you want,” Hunt said. “Although I think he’ll end up inside as a 3-technique defensive tackle, he’s shown the ability to play any one of the techniques up front from the defensive line.”

Williams recalls a pivotal moment in his sophomore year at Lincoln High School in Jersey City, New Jersey. Coming off of a freshman year with no playing time, Williams said his coach told him the program would need a center for the upcoming season. Despite having only played on defense, Williams secured the starting spot.

He played on offense and defense as a junior and senior, and was recruited by Morgan State as a linebacker during his senior year.

“It was just something about Morgan,” he said. “It was like God [was] telling me, ‘Yeah, go to Morgan.’ I didn’t even take a visit to Morgan. I committed, like, a few days after I got the offer.”

He started all 11 games during his freshman year at Morgan in 2021, cementing his place on the Bears’ roster. He embraced the shift in the coaching staff when Damon Wilson, who had led Bowie State to three Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association conference championships, was hired as Morgan State’s coach in 2022.

“Williams has been a great ambassador, not only for the football program but the whole university. … You will see him at the basketball games, the volleyball games, rooting on the other student-athletes,” Wilson said. “You will watch him before practice and after practice with some of the younger defensive linemen, trying to show them what it takes to be successful.” 

Williams’ hard work during practice has not gone unnoticed, Wilson said.

“We’ve had 27 [pro] teams to date come to practice and our games, and one thing that intrigues them is just his motor. He’s a guy that’s going to play all four quarters,” Wilson said. 

On Nov. 2, Williams broke Morgan State’s all-time sack record during a 38-37 overtime win over Norfolk State University, earning the 29th sack of his collegiate career with a timely tackle in the game’s last few minutes.

“I knew that we needed to make a big play, you know, get a big stop,” Williams said. “Our offense was doing what they needed to do and our defense, we just had to pick it up. … The quarterback had some legs – he could really get out the pocket and scramble – so as I was rushing, our D-line collapsed in the pocket. There was pretty much nowhere for him to go, and he just ran right into my arms.”

The moment not only etched Williams’ name into the record books, it reaffirmed his potential to take his skills to the next level. He has since raised his career sack total to 31.

“Being able to see Williams break that record, having been on broadcasts for his entire career, made it even more rewarding because I’ve seen him become this dominant force over the course of his career,” Hunt said. 

Williams grew up watching the Philadelphia Eagles with his father, Herman Williams, inspired by the way Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham plays.

William credits his family and faith as huge components in his success. His younger sister Hermainne Williams, a freshman nursing major who also attends Morgan State, has had a front-row seat to his lifelong commitment to football. 

“When he was a kid, he was on the football team, and I was on their cheerleading team when he was in elementary school, so I was always around for every football game,” she said.

Hermainne still attends all of Williams’ games.

“I am really proud of my brother, even though I never really tell him. … He’s worked really hard and deserves everything that he is getting, so I am really happy for my brother,” she said.

Morgan State defensive coordinator Antone’ Sewell said Williams is an asset to the program, both on and off the field.

“Elijah does all the things you want a player to do, you know, on the field. He has good grades, he works extremely hard, he plays with a motor nonstop … Great kid to be around, great teammate, great friend,” Sewell said. 

Saturday’s matchup against Howard University is Senior Day and the final game of Morgan State’s season. It is also one of Williams’ final chances to show NFL scouts what he can offer while also seeking vengeance against a team that has dominated the Bears in recent history.

“It’s been too many times that Howard beat us. I remember they beat us on our field to go to the Celebration Bowl [last year]. They had the ‘MEAC Champion’ signs and they had their cigars, and they were out there having a blast. So Howard is really going to be about respect, nationwide respect,” Williams said.

Williams’ mindset all season long has been focusing on the next game, but after Saturday, all of his efforts will shift toward his goal of playing pro football. He already has been invited to the HBCU Legacy Bowl and is on the watch list for the East-West Shrine Bowl.

“Once the season’s over, then I’ll start preparing for combine prep, bowl game prep, etc. … The coaches, teammates and my family are for sure going to keep me focused,” Williams said.

This season, 22 former HBCU players made NFL active rosters after preseason cuts. Williams recognizes that he has his work cut out for him, but his supporters believe he is prepared for the challenge.

“I definitely think he has the physical tools to play at that [pro] level. It is just a matter of getting that opportunity from the HBCU and FCS space. I believe if given the opportunity, he will make the most of it,” Sewell said.