All the right moves: The Tulane journey of Rodrek Williams II

From childhood birthday parties at the Reily Student Recreation Center to competing for championships in Yulman Stadium, Tulane University has long been part of the life of Rodrek Williams II.

As a New Orleans native, De La Salle High School graduate and the son of a Tulane alumnus, the uptown campus was a familiar place to Williams long before he arrived as a student-athlete in 2021.

Though he considered opportunities farther from home, Williams chose to stay in New Orleans and play football for the Green Wave, a decision that allowed him to build his college experience in a place that had already helped shape him.

As a defensive back, Williams contributed on special teams and was part of a Tulane team that reached two conference championships, the Cotton Bowl and the College Football Playoff. Those experiences underscored to him what it takes to succeed at a high level, athletically and academically.

"The commitment and the buy-in it takes for the whole team — that doesn't change, no matter what your role is," he said.

Williams earned his bachelor's degree in mass communication with a minor in business in 2025, then returned for a fifth year through Tulane's 4+1 program. Initially attracted to the Master of Management in Energy program for the flexibility of its course offerings, he soon found himself immersed in the field.

"Once I got into the course content, I kind of fell in love with energy and commodities," he said.

Balancing graduate coursework with Division I athletics required discipline. Early mornings, demanding practices and hours spent catching up outside of class became routine, reinforcing the same work ethic Williams brought to the field. Much of that academic time was spent in the A. B. Freeman School of Business's trading room, where Williams took back-to-back courses and traded live commodities — watching events in the Middle East move oil prices in real time.

"With everything going on, you get to actually witness the impact it has on the market and then position yourself accordingly," he said. "I'm definitely grateful for that hands-on time."

His academic experience culminated in a capstone project focused on the logistics of building and transporting a micro nuclear reactor to a U.S. Air Force base. Through that coursework and exposure to live markets, he developed a strong interest in energy trading — and a clear sense of where he wants to go next. After graduation, Williams plans to pursue a career in the energy sector, with hopes of eventually working as a commodities trader.

Off the field, Williams helped reestablish the Theta Mu chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., which had been inactive on campus since 2011. His line was the first to be initiated in more than a decade, and Williams now serves as chapter president.

"It's been a journey and a grind," he said. "But I plan on leaving a strong legacy here."

Williams also became a bridge between Tulane and the city he has always called home, introducing classmates and teammates from across the country to New Orleans traditions, especially during Mardi Gras season.

"I'm definitely excited to explore this next chapter," he said. "Tulane is a special place.”