The Massachusetts Pirates signed wide receiver Pooka Williams Jr. on Wednesday according to the IFL Transactions page.
Pooka Williams Jr. is five foot nine and weighs 175 pounds. The 25-year-old from New Orleans, Louisiana, signed with the San Antonio Brahmas on May 8, 2024. He made 4 catches for 12 yards and 10 kick returns for 262 yards in three games. The Brahams released him on August 24, 2024.
The Cincinnati Bengals signed Williams Jr. as an undrafted free agent on May 14, 2021. He played in one game with three kick returns for 52 yards against the Los Angeles Chargers.
The D.C. Defenders drafted Williams Jr. in the seventh round (49th pick) in Phase 1 of the 2022 XFL Draft. In 2023, Williams Jr. had one carry for -1 yard and five punt returns for 33 yards in three games. In 2024, he had one carry for nine yards, two catches for six yards, and three punt returns for 35 yards in one game for the D.C. Defenders in 2024 before the Defenders released him on April 22, 2024.
Collegiately, Williams Jr. played three seasons at Kansas (2018-20) with 415 carries for 2,509 yards, 12 touchdowns, 66 catches for 534 yards, four touchdowns, 18 kick returns for 443 yards, and one touchdown in 26 games for the Jayhawks. He was named two-time First Team All-Big 12, and the Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year.
