CALIFORNIA (Dec. 17) – Following a dynamic season on special teams, California (PA) sophomore return specialist Deontae Williams was named an Associated Press (AP) Second-Team All-American on Wednesday afternoon

Williams finished second nationally with 912 combined return yards and ranked fourth in NCAA Division II with 34.0 yards per kickoff return. He also averaged 11.7 yards per punt return to sit among the top 10 in the country. Williams recorded a pair of kickoff returns for touchdowns and one punt return for a touchdown to became the first Cal player in a decade to return both a kickoff and a punt for a score in the same season.

A product of Woodland Hills, Williams was one of only two NCAA Division II players to total at least 600 kickoff return yards and 200 punt return yards this season. He has totaled over 1,600 combined return yards over the past two years, including the most kick return yards by a Cal player since Terrell Roberson (2011-14).

In addition to his play on special teams, Williams finished second on the team with 517 receiving yards on 37 receptions after recording one catch during the 2024 season. He led the team this fall with 1,438 all-purpose yards and ranked among the top 30 players in the country with 110.54 all-purpose yards per game.

Williams earned his third All-America recognition on Wednesday, as he previously was lauded with second-team honors by both the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) and Division II Conference Commissioner's Association (D2CCA). Additionally, he garnered All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Wester Division status at both return specialist and wide receiver this fall.

The Vulcans have featured at least one AP All-American six times over the last decade, including multiple honorees in both 2021 and 2024. Williams was one of six players from the PSAC announced as AP All-Americans this year.