Dover, Del. (May 4, 2015) --- Delaware State's Milton Williams III has become the second former Hornet to sign a National Football League contract for the 2015 season. The former DSU wide receiver inked a three-year free agent deal with the Oakland Raiders this past weekend.
Williams played four seasons with the Hornets from 2011 to 2014. A 2014 All-MEAC Third Team selection, he ranked third in the league in receptions at 4.2 per game, and was seventh in receiving yards at 48.8 per contest last season. His 2014 totals included 50 receptions for 586 yards (11.7 ypc) and five touchdowns.
Williams was 2013 All-MEAC First Team and Heritage Sports Radio Network Black College All-America First Team selection after leading the MEAC in receptions per game (5.3) and receiving yards per contest (80.7) as a junior.
He topped the league in total receptions (58) and receiving yards (888); and tied for second in touchdown catches (5) during the 2013 season. He had five games with at least 100 receiving yards that season.
His DSU career totals include 126 receptions for 1612 yards and 11 touchdowns. Williams ranks seventh on the Hornets' all-time list for receptions and 10th in receiving yards.
Williams joins an Oakland Raiders receiving corps that features 2015 No. 3 overall draft pick Amari Cooper from Alabama; and former San Francisco 49er standout Michael Crabtree.
Jack Del Rio, a former NFL star and head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars, is the new head coach of the Raiders. Del Rio was defensive coordinator for Oakland's AFC West rival Denver Broncos the past three seasons.
Williams is scheduled to fly to Oakland later this week for the team's rookie camp.
This past Saturday, former Hornet defensive lineman Rodney Gunter was selected in the fourth round (116th overall pick) by the Arizona Cardinals. Gunter was the Hornets' first NFL draft pick since Darnerien McCants was taken in the fifth round by the Washington Redskins in 2000; and DSU's highest NFL pick since John Taylor was tabbed by the 49ers in the third round of the 1986 draft.
