Boom Williams joining Cincinnati Bengals

Kentucky Wildcats running back Stanley “Boom” Williams is joining the Bengals as an undrafted free agent. Cincy Jungle was first to break the news.

The former Cat did not hear his name called during the draft, but he was quickly scooped up Saturday night. He now joins a backfield that includes Joe Mixon, Jeremy Hill, Giovani Bernard and Cedric Peerman. He has a tough road ahead of him to earn a 53-man roster spot in Cincinnati, but I’d bet on him making an NFL roster this year.

Williams gave up his final season of eligibility and entered this spring’s draft as a true junior after three memorables year in Lexington. He finished his collegiate career with 2,511 rushing yards, which ranks seventh on the school’s career rushing list. He had an explosive final season in leading the Cats with 1,170 rushing yards, making him just the ninth player in school history to surpass 1,000 yards in a season.

The 5-9, 196-pound Williams tallied 3,314 career all-purpose yards, including 38 receptions for 292 yards and two touchdowns, and 511 kickoff return yards. He had a career-high 195 all-purpose yards, including a career-high 182 rushing yards, at Missouri on Oct. 29, 2016.

As you can tell, Williams leaves as one of Kentucky’s most accomplished backs. He owns the top two single-season averages per rush attempt, finishing at 7.10 yards per rush in 2015 and 6.84 this season. He ranks 11th on the school’s all-time career rushing touchdowns with 18 and fourth in career 100-yard games with 11. Williams’ seven rushing touchdowns of at least 50 yards are the most for a Wildcat dating back to 1955.

Good luck to Boom in the NFL!