D. J. Williams (linebacker)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sacramento, California, U.S.
 Williams with the Denver Broncos in 2010 | |||||||||||||
| No. 52, 55, 58 | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Linebacker | ||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||
| Born | July 20, 1982 Sacramento, California, U.S. | ||||||||||||
| Listed height | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | ||||||||||||
| Listed weight | 242 lb (110 kg) | ||||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||||
| High school | De La Salle (Concord, California) | ||||||||||||
| College | Miami (FL) | ||||||||||||
| NFL draft | 2004: 1st round, 17th overall pick | ||||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||||
| Awards and highlights | |||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||
| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||
Genos Derwin "D. J." Williams Jr. (born July 20, 1982)[1] is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker for 11 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at the University of Miami and was selected by the Denver Broncos in the first round of the 2004 NFL draft in the National Football League (NFL). He also played two seasons for the Chicago Bears.
Williams, born and raised in Sacramento, California, lived with family in the Bay Area during high school. Williams did this in order to play high school football at Concord, California's De La Salle High School. He earned USA Today Defensive Player of the Year honors as a senior and was regarded as the top defensive player nationally. He compiled 130 tackles (87 solo) and rushed for 1,974 yards, six sacks, five forced fumbles, three fumbles recoveries. On offense, he broke the school record for touchdowns in a season with 42 (33 rushing, five receiving, three punt return and one kickoff return).[2]
College career
Williams started his collegiate career at the University of Miami at fullback due to a logjam at the linebacker position. Although he was used sparingly in his freshman year in 2000, he recorded 18 career rushes for 142 yards (7.9 avg.) with two touchdowns while catching 12 passes for 143 yards over his career.[2]
Williams switched back to his favored linebacker position in 2001 and was quiet but productive member of the National Championship team. He compiled 51 tackles (25 solo), and one crucial forced fumble in the Rose Bowl against Nebraska.[2]
In 2002, he was one of 11 semi-finalists for the Butkus Award along with teammate Jonathan Vilma, who was also a second-team All-BIG EAST selection. He registered 108 tackles (55 solos) to rank second on the team, notched four sacks, forced two fumbles, and broke up eight passes.[2]
In his final year at Miami he blossomed into one of the best players in the country, finishing his senior year in 2003 as a semifinalist for the Butkus Award. He also a named third-team All-American by the Associated Press and a first-team All-Big East Conference choice. Williams finished second on the team with 82 tackles (44 solo) and tie for the team-lead with six sacks, forced a fumble and recovered another. His highlight of the season was a 61-yard run for a touchdown off a fake punt.
