It’s been over 10 months since Duke Williams last caught a pass.

It was Oct. 3 and Auburn was hosting San Jose State in a Week 5 non-conference matchup. Williams recorded one reception for 17 yards and the Tigers won, 35-21.

But that was the last time Williams would finish with his name in the box score. Two days later, Auburn coach Gus Malzahn dismissed him from the team, and he’d disappear for months… that is, until he signed a three-year deal with the Los Angeles Rams as an undrafted rookie free agent.

Tonight at 7 p.m. CDT, Williams will get his second chance when the Rams host the Dallas Cowboys in their first preseason game. You can imagine what this opportunity means for him.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve been on the field, like in a game, so I’m ready to really explode,” Williams told AL.com. “Show the world what I can do, show my coaches what I can do and overall just show myself that I can prepare for this level and I can compete on this level.”

Williams said he’d learned from his experience not to take anything for granted.

“It’s a blessing to be right here,” Williams said. “I wasn’t supposed to be here from the issues I had went through last year. But I stayed prayed up, worked my way up, stayed humble, continue to stay humble. I take none of this for granted anymore and look at everything as a gift from God.”

In 2014, Williams led Auburn with 45 receptions for 730 yards and five touchdowns.