Raphael Williams Jr. News, Rumors, Updates - Pittsburgh Panthers

Declares for NFL Draft Williams will enter the 2026 NFL Draft, he announced on his personal X account.

Impact Williams is out of eligibility, so this was something of a foregone conclusion. The receiver had a career year with the Panthers in 2025, reeling in 51 catches for 701 yards and seven scores as Pitt's top wideout. The 5-foot-10, 165-pound receiver, who began his career at FCS Western Carolina, has undoubtably intrigued several NFL scouts in his collegiate journey.

DECEMBER 30, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Scores touchdown during bowl Williams reeled in 5 of 7 targets for 57 yards and one touchdown during Saturday's 23-17 loss to East Carolina.

Impact For 2025, Williams' latest touchdown is his seventh, marking a career high in the category. The wide receiver logged 83 targets for a second straight season but did more compared to 2024 by also recording 51 receptions and 701 receiving yards, both career-highs.

DECEMBER 30, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

East Carolina takes advantage of 5 Pittsburgh turnovers, wins 23-17 in the Military Bowl

Chaston Ditta threw two second-half touchdown passes, and East Carolina overcame an inadvertent whistle that negated a long touchdown in a 23-17 victory over Pittsburgh in the Mili...

DECEMBER 27, 2025 • Associated Press

Draws 10 targets Williams gathered in 5 of 10 targets for 66 yards during Saturday's 38-7 defeat versus Miami (FL).

Impact Williams' 10 targets tied a season high, and his five receptions were his most since Week 9. His 66 receptions were his most since Week 7. He'll end the regular season with 46 receptions on 75 targets for 644 yards and six touchdowns.

DECEMBER 1, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Quiet in upset Williams caught 2 of 4 targets for 39 yards during Saturday's 42-28 win versus Georgia Tech.

Impact Williams has endured a relatively unproductive three-game stretch, having accumulated nine receptions for 90 yards. Saturday's contest marked his fifth game with fewer than 30 receiving yards this season. The senior wideout has caught 41 of 65 targets for 578 yards and six touchdowns.

NOVEMBER 24, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Limited output against ND Williams recorded three receptions (on five targets) for 14 yards during Saturday's 37-15 loss to Notre Dame.

Impact Williams set a season low in receiving yards and tied his fewest targets in a game since Week 6. The senior wideout's performance snapped a two-game touchdown streak. He's up to 39 receptions for 549 yards and six touchdowns over 10 games.

NOVEMBER 17, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Finds paydirt in Week 10 Williams hauled in 4 of 5 targets for 37 yards and one touchdown during Saturday's 35-20 victory versus Stanford.

Impact Williams didn't have an outstanding game from a volume standpoint, but the senior wide receiver scored a TD for the second straight game. He's caught six TDs in nine games this season, matching his touchdown totals from 2024 and 2022. Williams has caught 36 of 56 targets for 525 yards this season.

NOVEMBER 2, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Heintschel throws for 3 TDs, Pitt rolls past Stanford 35-20

Mason Heintschel throws for 304 yards and three touchdowns, leading Pittsburgh to a 35-20 win over Stanford on Saturday

NOVEMBER 1, 2025 • Associated Press

Draws 10 targets Williams caught 5 of 10 targets for 62 yards and one touchdown during Saturday's 53-34 win versus North Carolina State.

Impact Williams set a season high in targets, but he was able to reel in only five of those passes. However, he found the endzone for the first time since Week 5, catching a 7-yard pass from Mason Heintschel for the wideout's fifth touchdown of the year. Through eight games, Williams has caught 32 of 51 targets for 488 yards.

OCTOBER 27, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Touchdown drought continues Williams posted three receptions (on five targets) for 28 yards during Saturday's 30-13 win versus Syracuse.

Impact Williams was held out of the endzone for a third straight game after scoring in three of his first four appearances of 2025. The senior wide receiver's 28 receiving yards were his second fewest. During his three-game TD drought, Williams has caught 11 of 15 targets for 124 yards.

OCTOBER 20, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Efficient in upset win Williams hauled in all six targets for 78 yards during Saturday's 34-31 victory against Florida State.

Impact Williams drew at least six targets for the fourth time in five games, and he tied his season high in receptions. The wideout has gone without a touchdown in back-to-back games after accumulating four scores in his first four games. In six outings, Williams has caught 24 of 36 targets for 398 yards.

OCTOBER 13, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Quiet despite blowout Williams caught 2 of 5 targets for 18 yards during Saturday's 48-7 win against Boston College.

Impact Williams was left out of Pitt's offensive eruption, recording his fewest catches and targets since Week 1 while sporting a season low in receiving yards. The performance also snapped a three-game touchdown streak. Through five games this season, Williams has caught 18 of 31 targets for 320 yards and four touchdowns.

OCTOBER 6, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Scores again Williams hauled in 4 of 6 targets for 57 yards and one touchdown during Saturday's 34-27 defeat to Louisville.

Impact Williams found paydirt for a third straight game, but his 57 receiving yards were his worst during that stretch. Through four games, Williams has caught 16 of 26 passes for 302 yards and four touchdowns. He leads the team in receptions, yards and touchdowns.

SEPTEMBER 29, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Another stellar outing Williams posted six receptions (on nine targets) for 119 yards and one touchdown during Saturday's 31-24 overtime defeat to West Virginia.

Impact Williams had a disappointing Week 1, catching one of three targets for 45 yards. He has turned it up since, drawing eight and nine targets, respectively, in the two games since. He set season highs in receiving yards and receptions, and scored his third touchdown of the campaign. Williams is tied for the most receiving touchdowns in the ACC.

SEPTEMBER 15, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Another stellar outing Williams posted six receptions (on nine targets) for 119 yards and one touchdown during Saturday's 31-24 overtime defeat to West Virginia.

SEPTEMBER 15, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Edwards' short TD run in overtime leads West Virginia over Pittsburgh 31-24 in the Backyard Brawl

Tye Edwards rushed for three touchdowns, including a 1-yarder in overtime to lift West Virginia to a 31-24 win over Pittsburgh

SEPTEMBER 14, 2025 • Associated Press

Two scores in win Williams accrued five receptions (on eight targets) for 81 yards and two touchdowns during Saturday's 45-17 victory over Central Michigan.

Impact Williams had one catch for 45 yards during Pitt's season opener. He showed up in a bigger way in Week 2, drawing eight targets and corralling a pair of touchdown receptions. Williams tied for the team lead in receptions and led the team in receiving yards. Pitt's offense has looked good against a pair of inferior opponents, but they'll face their first real test in Week 3 at West Virginia.

SEPTEMBER 8, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Two scores in win Williams accrued five receptions (on eight targets) for 81 yards and two touchdowns during Saturday's 45-17 victory over Central Michigan.

SEPTEMBER 8, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

West Virginia squares off against Pittsburgh in Week 3

The West Virginia Mountaineers square off against the Pittsburgh Panthers

SEPTEMBER 7, 2025 • Associated Press

Holstein throws four touchdowns as Pittsburgh surges by Central Michigan 45-17

Pittsburgh surged past Central Michigan 45-17 on Saturday, with Eli Holstein passing for 304 yards and four touchdowns

SEPTEMBER 6, 2025 • Associated Press

Scores in OT shootout Williams hauled in 3 of 7 targets for 36 yards and one touchdown during Thursday's 48-46 overtime loss versus Toledo.

Impact Pitt leaned on the run game Thursday, leaving few opportunities for the Panthers' pass-catchers. Williams reeled in one of the team's two passing touchdowns and led Pitt in receiving yards. He ends the 2024 season with 37 catches (on 82 targets) for 426 yards and six touchdowns across 13 games.

DECEMBER 28, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Racks up targets in loss Williams reeled in 7 of 15 targets for 68 yards during Saturday's 24-20 loss versus Clemson.

Impact Williams' 15 targets were easily the most he's seen all season. While he didn't have the most efficient day with all of those looks, it's notable that his spike in targets came with a new quarterback, Nate Yarnell, under center. If Yarnell gets the start once again this week, it's feasible that Williams could once again dominate the target share for the Panthers.

NOVEMBER 18, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Hauls in touchdown in win Williams reeled in all two targets for 31 yards and one touchdown during Thursday's 41-13 win versus Syracuse.

Impact Williams wasn't looked at all that often in the win over Syracuse, but Pittsburgh's offense took a backseat to the Panthers' defensive domination over the Orange. Thus, one shouldn't be concerned about Williams' two targets being his lowest total yet in 2024.

OCTOBER 28, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Extremely limited in narrow win Williams caught 2 of 6 targets for 12 yards during Saturday's 17-15 win versus California.

Impact Williams just couldn't get it going through the air in a tight victory against Cal. His quarterback Eli Holstein had his struggles, but Williams has also been hot and cold this season performance-wise. The receiver has been largely touchdown-dependent from a fantasy perspective, but he'll look to bounce back next week against Syracuse.

OCTOBER 14, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Scores in victory Williams recorded two receptions (on seven targets) for 34 yards and one touchdown during Saturday's 34-24 victory against North Carolina.

Impact Williams's touchdown was his fourth of the season and his second in as many weeks. The wideout only caught two of his seven targets, but it's a good sign that Panthers quarterback Eli Holstein looks his way that often. He'll look to continue his heavy involvement next week against California.

OCTOBER 7, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

RAPHAEL WILLIAMS JR. NEWS

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East Carolina takes advantage of 5 Pittsburgh turnovers, wins 23-17 in the Military Bowl

Heintschel throws for 3 TDs, Pitt rolls past Stanford 35-20

Edwards' short TD run in overtime leads West Virginia over Pittsburgh 31-24 in the Backyard Brawl

West Virginia squares off against Pittsburgh in Week 3

Holstein throws four touchdowns as Pittsburgh surges by Central Michigan 45-17