Career Summary

Malakai Williams developed from an Arizona high-school edge prospect into an Idaho captain before completing his college career at Boise State.

Williams played four seasons at Idaho, where his production increased substantially in 2024. He then transferred to Boise State for the 2025 season and finished his college career there.

His college résumé included two Idaho captain selections and 2024 All-Big Sky honorable mention recognition. In 2026, he attended New Orleans Saints rookie minicamp, signed with the team in August, and was waived later that month.

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Early Life

Williams was raised in Arizona, with college biographies identifying his hometown as either Chandler or Gilbert.

His football development began in Arizona before he moved into a defensive-front role at the college level. Boise State listed Chandler as his hometown, while Idaho listed Gilbert.

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High School

At American Leadership Academy in Arizona, Williams produced as a defensive-front player and helped the school reach the Class 3A semifinals.

As a senior, Williams recorded 56 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, six sacks and an interception. He also caught seven touchdown passes, although the evidence does not establish a comparable offensive role after high school.

Boise State’s biography identifies him as a three-star recruit according to 247Sports and describes his recruiting position as defensive line or an edge-related position.

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College Career

Williams spent four seasons at Idaho before transferring to Boise State, with his strongest production coming during Idaho’s 2024 season.

During the shortened spring 2021 season, Williams saw limited action. He appeared in three games in fall 2021, recording five tackles, one sack and one tackle for loss while retaining his redshirt. In 2022, he played 11 games and totaled 13 tackles and one sack.

He appeared in nine games in 2023, producing 12 tackles, one sack, one tackle for loss and two quarterback hurries, and was selected as a team captain. In 2024, he played all 14 games and posted 35 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks while serving as captain again and earning All-Big Sky honorable mention. After transferring to Boise State for 2025, he appeared in 13 games with 11 tackles, three tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and one forced fumble.

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Path to the NFL

Williams reached the NFL after receiving 2026 rookie minicamp invitations rather than a documented draft selection or initial undrafted signing.

On May 1, 2026, Boise State announced that Williams had invitations from the Las Vegas Raiders and New Orleans Saints. The Saints later listed him on their rookie minicamp roster as an unsigned Boise State player at EDGE, wearing No. 56.

No draft round, overall pick or earlier undrafted-free-agent signing is supported by the cited records. New Orleans signed him on August 8, 2026, after minicamp.

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NFL Career

Williams signed with New Orleans in August 2026 but was waived before appearing in an NFL regular-season game.

The Saints described Williams as a 6-foot-5, 252-pound EDGE when announcing his August 8 signing. He had previously played four seasons at Idaho before transferring to Boise State for 2025.

New Orleans waived him on August 29 during roster reductions. He had no NFL appearance or statistic through September 11, 2026, and was not listed on the Saints’ active roster or practice squad page reviewed.

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Career Accomplishments

Williams’ principal honors were two Idaho captain selections and 2024 All-Big Sky honorable mention recognition.

Idaho teammates selected Williams as a captain in 2023 and 2024, making him a two-time team captain. His 2024 season brought All-Big Sky honorable mention honors.

That 2024 campaign also produced career-best totals of 6.5 sacks and 7.5 tackles for loss. In high school, he helped American Leadership Academy reach the Arizona Class 3A semifinals.

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Playing Style

Williams’ documented profile centers on an EDGE role and pressure production, particularly sacks and tackles for loss.

Idaho listed Williams as a defensive lineman, while Boise State and the Saints used the EDGE designation. He recorded at least one sack in each fully documented Idaho season and reached 6.5 sacks in 2024.

His listed 6-foot-5, 252-pound frame and high-school sack production fit an edge-rushing profile. The cited records do not provide a detailed evaluation of his technique, run defense or coverage ability.

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Legacy

Williams’ college significance rests on his progression at Idaho, where he became a captain and productive pass rusher before transferring to Boise State.

At Idaho, Williams moved from limited early playing time and a retained redshirt to a leadership role and All-Big Sky honorable mention recognition. His 2024 season marked his most productive documented college campaign.

The Boise State season provided a final FBS opportunity and preceded his invitations to NFL rookie minicamps. The documented record does not establish an NFL regular-season career.

Section reviewed 2026-09-11