D. J. Williams
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| Denver Broncos — No. 55 | |
| Outside linebacker | |
| Date of birth: July 20, 1982 | |
| Place of birth: Pittsburg, California | |
| Height: 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | Weight: 242 lb (110 kg) |
| National Football League debut | |
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| 2004 for the Denver Broncos | |
| Career history | |
| College: Miami (Fla.) | |
| NFL Draft: 2004 / Round: 1 / Pick: 17 | |
Teams:
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| Career highlights and awards | |
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| Stats at NFL.com | |
Genos Derwin Williams, Jr. (born July 20, 1982 in Pittsburg, California), colloquially named D.J. Williams, is an American football linebacker for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League.
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[edit] High school career
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.[citation needed]
[edit] College career
[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 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.
[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] Professional career
[edit] NFL draft
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 league's top linebackers.
[edit] 2004 season
In his rookie year, he started 14 of 16 games and led the Broncos 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 was moved from his weak-side linebacker position to strong-side linebacker following the Broncos signing of Ian Gold. He finished with 55 tackles (39 solo) while adding three 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 76 tackles (59 solo), a sack, one forced fumble, two pass deflections.
[edit] 2007 season
Following the injury-related release of Al Wilson, Williams was moved to his third position, middle linebacker. He finished the 2007 season 2nd in the NFL with 141 tackles (106 solo) along with one sack and one interception.
[edit] External links
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