William Likely

William Likely III (born September 13, 1994) is an American football cornerback who is currently a free agent. He played college football at the University of Maryland.

On September 5, 2015 Likely broke a 76 year old Big Ten Conference single-game record when he returned 8 punts for 233 yards in the season opener against Richmond. He was selected by both the coaches and media as a first-team return specialist and also a first-team defensive back by the coaches on the 2015 All-Big Ten team.

College career
Likely played for the Maryland Terrapins from 2013 to 2016.


 * Maryland career records
 * Single-season interception return yards (170, 2014)
 * Single-season interceptions returned for TD (2, 2014)
 * Single-game kickoff return yards (228 yards vs. Michigan State, 2014)
 * Single-game punt return yards (233 yards vs. Richmond, 2015)
 * Co-longest kickoff return average in a season (31.0 yards, 2014)
 * Co-longest kickoff return (100 yards vs. Stanford, 2014)

New England Patriots
Likely signed with the Patriots as an undrafted free agent on June 5, 2017. He was waived on September 2, 2017.

Toronto Argonauts
The Toronto Argonauts signed Likely to their practice squad on August 21, 2018.

Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Likely was signed to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats' practice roster on June 18, 2019. He was promoted to the active roster on July 12, and demoted to the practice roster on July 31. He was promoted again on September 19, and demoted again on September 26. He was released from the practice roster after the season on November 26, 2019.

DC Defenders
Likely signed with the DC Defenders of the XFL during mini-camp in December 2019. He was waived during final roster cuts on January 22, 2020.

Houston Gamblers
Likely was selected in the 9th round of the 2022 USFL draft by the Houston Gamblers.

Houston Roughnecks
The Houston Roughnecks selected Likely in the first round of the 2023 XFL Supplemental Draft on January 1, 2023. The Roughnecks brand was transferred to the Houston Gamblers when the XFL and USFL merged to create the United Football League (UFL).

Memphis Showboats
Likely was selected by the Memphis Showboats in the seventh round of the Super Draft portion during the 2024 UFL dispersal draft on January 15, 2024. He signed with the team on January 25. He was released on March 10, 2024.