Colorado University Athletics
New Orleans Made Mojo Williams, Colorado is Growing Him
June 08, 2026 | Football
BOULDER — Colorado freshman defensive back Maurice "Mojo" Williams Jr. does not need much time to explain what New Orleans gave him.
Confidence.
For Williams, that word is more than a personality trait. It is part of his foundation, something built through his city, his family, his high school and the environment that shaped him long before he arrived in Boulder.
"First, it shaped me to just have confidence," Williams said. "Where we come from, some kids like me, all we have is football. We never took it for granted."
Now, as one of Colorado's young defensive backs, Williams is carrying that same confidence into his first chapter with the Buffaloes. A native of New Orleans and product of Edna Karr High School, Williams arrived at CU as an early enrollee after graduating high school ahead of schedule. He came to Boulder with a plan, a purpose and no second thoughts.
"I knew I wanted to be an early enrollee since I was a freshman in high school," Williams said. "I was fortunate enough and blessed enough to have that opportunity."
That approach was strengthened at Karr, a program with a proud winning tradition and a long history of producing college and professional talent. The Cougars have been home to players who went on to Power Four football, long NFL careers and national recognition, creating a standard that is felt throughout the program.
Williams felt Colorado was the best fit for him, and that feeling was reinforced when he arrived in Boulder for the first time. Seeing the mountains while driving into Boulder was a surreal moment, Williams said, and it made him realize how far he had come in his career.
Williams was part of a highly touted 2026 class at Karr and became a starter during his sophomore season in 2023. From there, he helped lead one of the top programs in Louisiana. He was a starter on Karr's 2024 and 2025 championship teams and did not lose a game during his final two seasons, going 27-0 as a starter over that stretch.
For Williams, that standard was simple.
"Being second to none," Williams said. "Legends, that's how we live life at Karr."
The move from New Orleans to Boulder brought change. The culture was different. The weather was different. The altitude was different. Williams joked that the biggest adjustment was "trying to breathe the air out here."
But the transition itself was not overwhelming. Williams committed to Colorado before his senior season, giving him time to prepare mentally for what was coming. When he arrived, he leaned on the same mindset that helped him become one of the top players in Louisiana.
"It was a smooth transition," Williams said. "I knew what to expect. I knew what I was getting into, and really, I just trusted myself. I didn't have any second thoughts. I knew what I wanted to do."
Enrolling early gave Williams a head start. He learned the routine, got into the playbook and began building relationships with coaches and teammates. Just as important, being away from home forced him to grow beyond football.
"Colorado has helped me grow tremendously," Williams said. "I found who I was as a person, being away from my family, my friends and the people I love the most. I found who I was as a person, and I found who I was as a football player as well."
Even after starting his college journey early, Williams still had the chance to return home and walk the stage with his classmates. For him, that moment was more than a ceremony. It was another reminder of how far he had come and how many people were proud of the path he was on.
"It was just a blessing," Williams said. "I got to graduate. That's another thing a lot of people miss out on. Seeing my family happy for me, that was just a blessing."
Williams' family remains central to his story. His father has been one of the biggest influences on his football journey, and the memory of loved ones who are no longer here continues to motivate him when things get difficult.
"My dad has been pushing me in football since I was young," Williams said. "He always told me that football is not just a game. It is bigger than football. It's life."
Williams said he lost both of his grandmothers while he was in high school.
"That's really my why," Williams said. "The people that's not here to see me physically, that's why I keep going."
On the field, Williams is focused on sharpening the mental side of his game. Physically, he believes he has the ability to compete. The next step is staying locked in, avoiding second-guessing and making sure his mind is as ready as his body.
"My mental aspect of the game," Williams said. "I feel like I can do everything physically. It's really just being buttoned up, not getting tired mentally, not second-guessing myself and being mentally dialed in."
He flashed that growth during Colorado's spring game, coming down with a late interception. For Williams, the play was the result of preparation, trust and confidence.
"I just trusted myself, trusted the work I put in, trusted the calls my coaches made," Williams said. "When the ball went up, I was just being myself and I had to go get it."
When he thinks about what he brings to the team every day, Williams keeps it simple.
"Energy. Confidence. Flying around, making plays, not second-guessing and just having fun," he said.
Williams knows that, on paper, he is still a freshman. But that is not how he sees himself. He arrived at Colorado with maturity, belief and a championship background. He has already played in big moments, helped lead an elite high school program and learned how to carry expectations.
His goal now is to show he is ready for the next one.
"I'm not just a freshman," Williams said. "On paper, I'm a freshman, but in real life, I'm where I want to be, and I'm going to show that this season."
For the young athletes back home in New Orleans watching his journey, Williams has a clear message.
"It's possible," Williams said. "Anything is possible."
That belief has carried him from New Orleans to Karr to Colorado. As he continues to build his name in Boulder, Williams knows what he wants people to remember.
"I want to be known as Mojo Williams," he said. "That's what I want to be — a household name."
Fans can get their first glimpse of Williams and the Buffs in the home opener against Weber State on Sept. 12 at Folsom Field. Kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m.
Buff fans have several ticket options available, including season tickets, two-game packages and single-game tickets. For more information, click here.
Confidence.
For Williams, that word is more than a personality trait. It is part of his foundation, something built through his city, his family, his high school and the environment that shaped him long before he arrived in Boulder.
"First, it shaped me to just have confidence," Williams said. "Where we come from, some kids like me, all we have is football. We never took it for granted."
Now, as one of Colorado's young defensive backs, Williams is carrying that same confidence into his first chapter with the Buffaloes. A native of New Orleans and product of Edna Karr High School, Williams arrived at CU as an early enrollee after graduating high school ahead of schedule. He came to Boulder with a plan, a purpose and no second thoughts.
"I knew I wanted to be an early enrollee since I was a freshman in high school," Williams said. "I was fortunate enough and blessed enough to have that opportunity."
That approach was strengthened at Karr, a program with a proud winning tradition and a long history of producing college and professional talent. The Cougars have been home to players who went on to Power Four football, long NFL careers and national recognition, creating a standard that is felt throughout the program.
Williams felt Colorado was the best fit for him, and that feeling was reinforced when he arrived in Boulder for the first time. Seeing the mountains while driving into Boulder was a surreal moment, Williams said, and it made him realize how far he had come in his career.
Williams was part of a highly touted 2026 class at Karr and became a starter during his sophomore season in 2023. From there, he helped lead one of the top programs in Louisiana. He was a starter on Karr's 2024 and 2025 championship teams and did not lose a game during his final two seasons, going 27-0 as a starter over that stretch.
For Williams, that standard was simple.
"Being second to none," Williams said. "Legends, that's how we live life at Karr."
The move from New Orleans to Boulder brought change. The culture was different. The weather was different. The altitude was different. Williams joked that the biggest adjustment was "trying to breathe the air out here."
But the transition itself was not overwhelming. Williams committed to Colorado before his senior season, giving him time to prepare mentally for what was coming. When he arrived, he leaned on the same mindset that helped him become one of the top players in Louisiana.
"It was a smooth transition," Williams said. "I knew what to expect. I knew what I was getting into, and really, I just trusted myself. I didn't have any second thoughts. I knew what I wanted to do."
Enrolling early gave Williams a head start. He learned the routine, got into the playbook and began building relationships with coaches and teammates. Just as important, being away from home forced him to grow beyond football.
"Colorado has helped me grow tremendously," Williams said. "I found who I was as a person, being away from my family, my friends and the people I love the most. I found who I was as a person, and I found who I was as a football player as well."
Even after starting his college journey early, Williams still had the chance to return home and walk the stage with his classmates. For him, that moment was more than a ceremony. It was another reminder of how far he had come and how many people were proud of the path he was on.
"It was just a blessing," Williams said. "I got to graduate. That's another thing a lot of people miss out on. Seeing my family happy for me, that was just a blessing."
Williams' family remains central to his story. His father has been one of the biggest influences on his football journey, and the memory of loved ones who are no longer here continues to motivate him when things get difficult.
"My dad has been pushing me in football since I was young," Williams said. "He always told me that football is not just a game. It is bigger than football. It's life."
Williams said he lost both of his grandmothers while he was in high school.
"That's really my why," Williams said. "The people that's not here to see me physically, that's why I keep going."
On the field, Williams is focused on sharpening the mental side of his game. Physically, he believes he has the ability to compete. The next step is staying locked in, avoiding second-guessing and making sure his mind is as ready as his body.
"My mental aspect of the game," Williams said. "I feel like I can do everything physically. It's really just being buttoned up, not getting tired mentally, not second-guessing myself and being mentally dialed in."
He flashed that growth during Colorado's spring game, coming down with a late interception. For Williams, the play was the result of preparation, trust and confidence.
"I just trusted myself, trusted the work I put in, trusted the calls my coaches made," Williams said. "When the ball went up, I was just being myself and I had to go get it."
When he thinks about what he brings to the team every day, Williams keeps it simple.
"Energy. Confidence. Flying around, making plays, not second-guessing and just having fun," he said.
Williams knows that, on paper, he is still a freshman. But that is not how he sees himself. He arrived at Colorado with maturity, belief and a championship background. He has already played in big moments, helped lead an elite high school program and learned how to carry expectations.
His goal now is to show he is ready for the next one.
"I'm not just a freshman," Williams said. "On paper, I'm a freshman, but in real life, I'm where I want to be, and I'm going to show that this season."
For the young athletes back home in New Orleans watching his journey, Williams has a clear message.
"It's possible," Williams said. "Anything is possible."
That belief has carried him from New Orleans to Karr to Colorado. As he continues to build his name in Boulder, Williams knows what he wants people to remember.
"I want to be known as Mojo Williams," he said. "That's what I want to be — a household name."
Fans can get their first glimpse of Williams and the Buffs in the home opener against Weber State on Sept. 12 at Folsom Field. Kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m.
Buff fans have several ticket options available, including season tickets, two-game packages and single-game tickets. For more information, click here.
Saturday, April 11
Saturday, April 11
Saturday, April 11
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