BYU Running Back Legend Attends 2025 Home Opener
Aug 30, 2025, 5:56 PM | Updated: 5:56 pm
SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 21: Jamaal Williams #21 of the Brigham Young Cougars runs past Antonio Hull #21 of the Wyoming Cowboys during the first half of the Poinsettia Bowl at Qualcomm Stadium on December 21, 2016 in San Diego, California. Williams is in attendance for BYU's 2025 season-opener. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
(Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
PROVO, Utah – Former BYU running back Jamaal Williams is in Provo as the Cougars prepare to host Portland State. Williams was the leading rusher in BYU history when he completed his college career after the 2016 season.
The BYU Cougars begin the 2025 season by hosting the Portland State Vikings at LaVell Edwards Stadium on Saturday, August 30.
BYU vs. Portland State: Live Updates, Analysis, And More From Provo
Welcome home @jswaggdaddy!!
LEGEND 🤙 pic.twitter.com/xDLR95j07c
— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) August 30, 2025
Williams attended BYU from 2012 to 2016. He was a three-time nominee for the Doak Walker Award watchlist.
Williams ran the ball 726 times for 3,901 yards and 35 touchdowns. He also had 60 receptions for 567 yards and a touchdown. Williams only lost two fumbles during his college career.
RELATED: Jamaal Williams Breaks Lions’ Single-Season Rushing Touchdown Record
Following his time at BYU, the Southern California native was selected by the Green Bay Packers during the fourth round of the 2017 NFL Draft. He played the first four seasons of his professional career with the Packers before signing with the Lions in 2021.
In 2022, Williams ran for 1,066 yards and 17 touchdowns. It was his first 1,000-yard season in the NFL. With his 17 touchdowns, Williams became the Detroit Lions’ single-season touchdown rushing leader, passing the legendary Barry Sanders.
Williams played for the New Orleans Saints in 2023 and 2024. He ran for 470 yards and two touchdowns with the Saints.
BYU Cougars 2025 Schedule (0-0, 0-0)
- Saturday, August 30 – Portland State Vikings @ BYU Cougars | Kickoff 6 p.m. MT
- Saturday, September 6 – Stanford Cardinal @ BYU Cougars | Kickoff 8:15 p.m. MT
- BYE
- Saturday, September 20 – BYU Cougars @ East Carolina Pirates | Kickoff TBA
- Saturday, September 27 – BYU Cougars @ Colorado Buffaloes | Kickoff 8:15 p.m. MT
- Friday, October 3 – West Virginia Mountaineers @ BYU Cougars | Kickoff 8:30 p.m. MT
- Saturday, October 11 – BYU Cougars @ Arizona Wildcats | Kickoff TBA
- Saturday, October 18 – Utah Utes @ BYU Cougars | Kickoff TBA
- Saturday, October 25 – BYU Cougars @ Iowa State Cyclones | Kickoff TBA
- BYE
- Saturday, November 8 – BYU Cougars @ Texas Tech Red Raiders | Kickoff TBA
- Saturday, November 15 – TCU Horned Frogs @ BYU Cougars | Kickoff TBA
- Saturday, November 22 – BYU Cougars @ Cincinnati Bearcats | Kickoff TBA
- Saturday, November 29 – UCF Knights @ BYU Cougars | Kickoff TBA
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Find BYU’s entire 2025 football schedule here.
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for sports.ksl.com and hosts the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (12–3 p.m.) on KSL Newsradio. Follow Mitch’s coverage of BYU in the Big 12 Conference on X: @Mitch_Harper.
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