Written By Rev. Justin C. Jackson

STAFFORD, Texas — The future continues to look bright for North American University Track & Field as the Stallions proudly welcome one of the top emerging horizontal jumpers from the Texas high school ranks. Dickinson High School standout Braylen Williams has officially committed to continue his academic and athletic career at North American University.

Competing in one of the most challenging classifications in the country, Texas UIL 6A, Williams has steadily built a reputation as an explosive athlete capable of making an impact on the runway and on the track. His development over the past several seasons has caught the attention of coaches across the region, and now he brings that talent to Stafford as a member of the Stallion family.

Williams enters NAU after posting a personal-best leap of 22 feet, 9 inches in the long jump during the 2026 season. The mark represents more than a foot of improvement from earlier in his high school career and highlights the type of growth that has made him one of the rising jump specialists in the Houston-area track scene.

His breakthrough performance came at the Clear Creek ISD Ruben Jordan Classic, where he soared to his personal best while consistently producing jumps beyond the 21-foot mark throughout the season. Williams also gained valuable experience competing at major Texas meets, including the Prairie View Relays, Port Arthur Relays, and Texas Southern Relays.

Perhaps most impressive was his performance during championship season, where he earned a 5th-place finish at the UIL 6A Area Meet in the long jump. In a classification loaded with elite talent from across the state, finishing among the top competitors at the Area level demonstrates both his athletic ability and competitive mindset.

While the long jump has become his signature event, Williams brings versatility to the Stallions' roster. His background as a sprinter includes personal bests of 11.57 seconds in the 100 meters and 24.25 seconds in the 200 meters, providing a foundation of speed that translates well to horizontal jumps and future event opportunities at the collegiate level.
       

North American University Track & Field Coach Kenneth Apande believes Williams' best days are still ahead of him.

"Braylen is the type of athlete we look for because he has already shown tremendous improvement and still has room to grow," said Apande. "His work ethic, athleticism, and ability to compete against some of the best athletes in Texas make him an exciting addition to our program."

Williams joins a Stallion program that continues to establish itself on the conference and national stages while developing student-athletes who excel both in competition and in the classroom.

For NAU, the addition of Williams represents another step forward in building a roster capable of competing for championships while continuing the program's tradition of identifying talented athletes with high ceilings for development.

As the recruiting race comes to a close, the Stallions are excited to have secured a commitment from an athlete whose trajectory continues to point upward.

Welcome to the Stable, Braylen Williams.
The runway awaits, and Stallion Nation can't wait to see how far you'll fly. ????

Braylen Williams Quick Facts

• Hometown: Dickinson, Texas
• High School: Dickinson High School
• Graduation Class: 2026
• Event: Long Jump
• Long Jump PR: 22' 9"
• 100m PR: 11.57
• 200m PR: 24.25
• 2026 UIL 6A Area Meet: 5th Place (Long Jump)
• College Commitment: North American University Track & Field