Pitt CB Marquis Williams Declares for 2024 NFL Draft

Marquis Williams returned to Pitt for his sixth and final collegiate season with a championship in mind, and while that ultimate goal wasn’t achieved, he set out to do what he planned to do.

Williams, a 5-foot-9, 180-pound cornerback from Pompano Beach, Fl., officially declared for the 2024 NFL Draft Monday after another season in which he did not allow a touchdown in coverage.

“First and foremost, I would like to thank God, all of my coaches, the football staff, my athletic trainers and the academic support staff for all they have done to help me achieve success while earning my degree at the University of Pittsburgh,” Williams wrote on Instagram.

“It has been a long held ambition of mine to play in the NFL. After much thought and many prayers, I would like to announce that I am declaring for the 2024 NFL Draft.”

Williams racked up 26 tackles (16 solo), 2.5 tackles for loss, an interception and four pass breakups in 2023 — bringing his career totals to 109 tackles (86 solo), 5.5 tackles for loss, six interceptions (with two returned for touchdowns), 12 pass breakups and a forced fumble.

According to PFF, Williams allowed just 15 receptions for 210 yards and no touchdowns on 26 targets this season. He didn’t allow a single touchdown in two of his last three seasons at Pitt either.

Williams played in 60 games during his career in Pittsburgh, starting all every game over the last three seasons as a key cog on and off the field for the Panthers.

It’s expected that fellow cornerbacks M.J. Devonshire and A.J. Woods will also declare for the 2024 NFL Draft in the coming days and weeks ahead.

The trio will look to continue the legacy of Pitt defensive backs playing in the NFL, joining the likes of Damar Hamlin, Dane Jackson, Jason Pinnock, Avonte Maddox, K’Waun Williams, Damarri Mathis, Jordan Whitehead, Brandon Hill and Erick Hallett.