D. J. Williams (football player)
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| D.J. Williams | |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | July 20, 1982 (age 24) |
| Place of birth |  Pittsburg, California |
| Position(s) | Linebacker |
| College | University of Miami |
| NFL Draft | 2004 / Round 1/ Pick 17 |
| Statistics | |
| Team(s) | |
| 2004-present | Denver Broncos |
D.J. Williams (born July 20, 1982 in Pittsburg, California) is an American football linebacker for the Denver Broncos of the NFL.
Contents |
[edit] High school
Williams played high school football at 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).
Former Oakland Raiders head coach John Madden once commented at Williams' high school banquet during his senior year that the star linebacker was the only player he saw who could ever go from high school directly to the pros.
[edit] University of Miami
[edit] 2000 season
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, he recorded 18 career rushes for 142 yards (7.9 avg.) with two touchdowns while catching 12 passes for 153 yards (11.9 avg.) over his career.
[edit] 2001 season
Williams switched back to his favoured linebacker position in 2001 and was quiet but productive member the National Championship team. He compiled 51 tackles (25 solo), and one crucial forced fumble in the Rose Bowl against Nebraska.
[edit] 2002 season
In 2002, he was one of 11 semi-finalists for the Butkus Award along with teammate Jonathan Vilma 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.
[edit] 2003 season
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.
[edit] NFL
Williams was selected by the Denver Broncos in the first round (17th overall) of the 2004 NFL Draft. Williams has emerged as one of the top linebackers and is a large part of a Broncos linebacker core that is considered one of the best in the NFL.
[edit] 2004 season
In his rookie year, he started 14 of 16 games and led the Broncos with led Denver with 114 tackles (82 solo). He also recorded two sacks, one interception and one forced fumble. He came in third in NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year (Associated Press) voting.
[edit] 2005 season
Williams produced another solid season in 2005, with 68 tackles (44 solo) while adding five pass deflections and one forced fumble.. Williams also contributed two tackles and a forced fumble on special teams.
[edit] 2006 season
In the 2006 season, he amassed 86 tackles (69 solo), a sack,two forced fumbles, three pass deflections.
