Mario Williams in the NFL & Mario Williams Jersey

Mario Williams' meteoric rise to football stardom began humbly in Richlands, North Carolina.  After dominating NCAA football while playing for North Carolina State, Williams was drafted by the NFL team, the Houston Texans on April 29th, 2006.  There was much speculation that the Texans were going to pick Reggie Bush, a running back from USC, but the Houston Texans wanted to amp up their defensive line.

Mario Williams is by any measure a powerhouse.  He weighs nearly 300 pounds, and he generated 175 tackles playing only three seasons for North Carolina State.  He is able to do the 40-yard dash in under 4.7 seconds and can bench press 225 pounds nearly 40 times in a row.  Many people have compared him with defensive end Julius Peppers, who signed with the NFL in 2002.

The Texans have signed Williams to a $54 million contract that extends up to six years.  Assuming Williams lives up to his expectations, this deal can be worth even more.  Of course, as a round-one first pick in the NFL Draft, there is a lot of psychological pressure on Williams to play up to those expectations, but he has a head start in terms of dealing with pressure, thanks in large part to his former coach at North Carolina State, Chuck Amato.

As a defensive end, Mario Williams is practically unstoppable.  In just 36 games for North Carolina State, he chalked up over 25 sacks, and he works out constantly to maintain his aggressive physique and sharp mental attitude.  You can cheer him on by wearing a Mario Williams jersey, and watch his star rise in the ranks of NFL first round draft picks.  In the world of Sports memorabilia, the name Mario Williams is likely to be remembered or a long time to come.