Wikipedia

Darrel Williams

For other people named Darrel Williams, see Darrel Williams (disambiguation).

Darrel Williams
Williams with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2019
Profile
PositionRunning back
Personal information
Born (1995-04-15) April 15, 1995 (age 30)
Marrero, Louisiana, U.S.
Height5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight224 lb (102 kg)
Career information
High schoolJohn Ehret (Marrero, Louisiana)
CollegeLSU (2014–2017)
NFL draft2018: undrafted
Career history
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Awards and highlights
Career NFL statistics
Rushing yards1,014
Rushing average3.9
Rushing touchdowns11
Receptions87
Receiving yards771
Receiving touchdowns4
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Darrel Williams (born April 15, 1995) is an American professional football running back. He played college football for the LSU Tigers and was signed by the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent in 2018. Williams has also been a member of the Arizona Cardinals and New Orleans Saints.

Early life

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Williams was a four-star recruit coming out of John Ehret High School in Marrero, Louisiana after rushing for 2,036 yards and 27 touchdowns as a senior.[1] He originally committed to play college football for Arizona State, but after a running back spot opened up at LSU, Williams was recruited by head coach Les Miles to play for them. Williams decided to flip his commitment to LSU over offers from Wisconsin, Tennessee, and Florida, among others.[2]

College career

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In Williams's freshman season at LSU, he joined a four-player running back rotation. On October 1, 2016, against Missouri, Williams had 21 carries for 130 rushing yards and three touchdowns.[3]

As a senior, he played in 13 games, starting four, while serving as the primary backup to Derrius Guice. On October 21, 2017, against Ole Miss, Williams became the first player in LSU history to record at least 100 rushing yards and 100 receiving yards in the same game.[4] At the end of LSU's 2017 season, Williams accepted an invitation to play in the 2018 Senior Bowl.[5] He was named one of LSU’s two team MVPs (along with linebacker Devin White) at the conclusion of his senior season in 2017.

Williams finished his career with 321 carries for 1,651 yards and 19 touchdowns to go along with 38 receptions for 462 yards.[6]

College statistics

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Year School Conf Class Pos G Rushing Receiving
Att Yds Avg TD Rec Yds Avg TD
2014 LSU SEC FR RB 11 64 302 4.7 3 6 63 10.5 0
2015 LSU SEC SO RB 11 60 296 4.9 4 4 31 7.8 0
2016 LSU SEC JR RB 9 52 233 4.5 3 5 37 7.4 0
2017 LSU SEC SR RB 13 145 820 5.7 9 23 331 14.4 0
Career LSU 44 321 1,651 5.1 19 38 462 12.2 0

Professional career

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Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 20-yard shuttle Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
5 ft 11+5⁄8 in
(1.82 m) 		225 lb
(102 kg) 		31 in
(0.79 m) 		9+3⁄8 in
(0.24 m)		 4.72 s 4.21 s 32.0 in
(0.81 m)		 9 ft 1 in
(2.77 m)		 22 reps
All values from NFL Combine[7]

Kansas City Chiefs

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2018 season

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After going undrafted in the 2018 NFL draft, Williams was signed by the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent on May 5, 2018.[8] He totaled 13 carries for 44 yards and three receptions for 27 yards and a touchdown as a rookie.[9]

2019 season

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During Week 4 against the Detroit Lions, Williams rushed eight times for 13 yards and two touchdowns and caught three passes for 43 yards in the 34–30 victory.[10] He was placed on injured reserve on December 5, 2019, with a hamstring injury.[11] Williams finished the season with 41 carries for 141 yards and three touchdowns to go along with 15 receptions for 167 yards and a touchdown in 12 games.[12] During his absence, the Chiefs went on to win Super Bowl LIV, their first championship in 50 years.[13]

2020 season

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In 2020, Williams finished with 39 carries for 169 yards and a touchdown to go along with 18 receptions for 116 yards.[14] He earned the start for the Divisional Round against the Cleveland Browns due to an injury to Clyde Edwards-Helaire, rushing for 78 yards and catching four passes for 16 yards in the 22–17 victory.[15] In the AFC Championship Game against the Buffalo Bills, Williams rushed for 52 yards and a touchdown during the 38–24 victory.[16] During Super Bowl LV, he had 15 scrimmage yards in the 31–9 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.[17]

2021 season

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Williams in 2021

Williams signed a one-year contract extension with the Chiefs on March 16, 2021.[18]

Williams finished the 2021 season setting career-highs in carries with 144 carries, rushing yards with 558, rushing touchdowns with six, receptions with 47, receiving yards with 452, and receiving touchdowns with two in 17 games and seven starts.[19]

Arizona Cardinals

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On May 31, 2022, Williams signed with the Arizona Cardinals on a one-year contract.[20] He was placed on injured reserve on November 2.[21]

On November 14, backup running back Eno Benjamin was released, making Williams and rookie running back Keontay Ingram the backups.[22]

New Orleans Saints

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On August 15, 2023, Williams signed with the New Orleans Saints.[23] He was released on August 29.[24]

NFL career statistics

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Legend
Won the Super Bowl
Bold Career high

Regular season

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Year Team Games Rushing Receiving Fumbles
GP GS Att Yds Avg Lng TD Rec Yds Avg Lng TD Fum Lost
2018 KC 6 0 13 44 3.4 8 0 3 27 9.0 11 1 0 0
2019 KC 12 0 41 141 3.4 41T 3 15 167 11.1 52T 1 1 1
2020 KC 16 0 39 169 4.3 13 1 18 116 6.4 15 0 0 0
2021 KC 17 7 144 558 3.9 21 6 47 452 9.6 38 2 0 0
2022 ARI 6 0 21 102 4.9 30 1 4 9 2.3 6 0 0 0
Career 57 7 258 1,014 3.9 41T 11 87 771 8.9 52T 4 1 1

Postseason

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Year Team Games Rushing Receiving Fumbles
GP GS Att Yds Avg Lng TD Rec Yds Avg Lng TD Fum Lost
2018 KC 2 0 3 9 3.0 6 1 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0
2019 KC 0 0 Did not play due to injury
2020 KC 3 1 28 135 4.8 16T 1 7 35 5.0 9T 0 0 0
2021 KC 2 0 1 4 4.0 4 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 1 1
Career 7 1 32 148 4.6 16T 2 7 35 5.0 9T 0 1 1

References

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  1. ^ Smith, James (December 10, 2013). "Ehret running back Darrel Williams commits to LSU". NOLA.com. Archived from the original on January 19, 2018. Retrieved January 19, 2018.
  2. ^ Donohue, Tyler (December 11, 2013). "4-Star RB Darrel Williams Commits to LSU over Several SEC Options". Bleacher Report. Archived from the original on February 9, 2015. Retrieved February 8, 2015.
  3. ^ "Missouri at LSU Box Score, October 1, 2016". Sports Reference. Archived from the original on November 18, 2022. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
  4. ^ Guilbeau, Glenn (October 21, 2017). ""Finally healthy" Derrius Guice, sidekick Darrel Williams total 493 yards in Ole Miss win". The Advertiser. Archived from the original on March 2, 2021. Retrieved November 5, 2017.
  5. ^ Shipp, Sonny (January 16, 2018). "Darrel Williams and Christian LaCouture added to Senior Bowl". 247sports.com. Archived from the original on July 4, 2023. Retrieved January 19, 2018.
  6. ^ "Darrel Williams". July 8, 2019.
  7. ^ Zierlein, Lance. "Darrel Williams Combine Profile". NFL.com. Archived from the original on July 4, 2023. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
  8. ^ "Meet the Kansas City Chiefs' 14 Undrafted Rookie Free Agents for 2018". Chiefs.com. May 5, 2018. Archived from the original on March 21, 2019. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
  9. ^ "Darrel Williams 2018 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on July 16, 2019. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  10. ^ "Chiefs score late, stay undefeated with 34-30 win over Lions". ESPN. Associated Press. September 29, 2019. Archived from the original on September 30, 2019. Retrieved September 29, 2019.
  11. ^ Gantt, Darin (December 5, 2019). "Chiefs put Darrel Williams on injured reserve". Pro Football Talk. NBC Sports. Archived from the original on December 6, 2019. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
  12. ^ "Darrel Williams 2019 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 14, 2020. Retrieved January 13, 2020.
  13. ^ Shook, Nick (February 2, 2020). "Kansas City Chiefs win Super Bowl LIV". NFL.com. Archived from the original on February 3, 2020. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
  14. ^ "Darrel Williams 2020 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 5, 2022. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
  15. ^ "Divisional Round - Cleveland Browns at Kansas City Chiefs - January 17th, 2021". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 16, 2021. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
  16. ^ "AFC Championship - Buffalo Bills at Kansas City Chiefs - January 24th, 2021". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 30, 2021. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
  17. ^ "Super Bowl LV - Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Kansas City Chiefs - February 7th, 2021". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on March 2, 2021. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
  18. ^ "Chiefs' Darrel Williams: Staying in KC". CBSSports.com. March 16, 2021. Archived from the original on April 20, 2021. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
  19. ^ "Darrel Williams 2021 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 5, 2022. Retrieved April 5, 2022.
  20. ^ Urban, Darren (May 31, 2022). "Cardinals Add Darrel Williams To Running Back Room". AZCardinals.com. Archived from the original on January 31, 2023. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  21. ^ Urban, Darren (November 2, 2022). "Cardinals Claim Defensive Tackle Trysten Hill, Place Darrel Williams On IR". AZCardinals.com. Archived from the original on February 6, 2023. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  22. ^ Alper, Josh (November 14, 2022). "Cardinals release Eno Benjamin". NBC Sports. Archived from the original on November 14, 2022. Retrieved February 5, 2025.
  23. ^ "New Orleans Saints sign RB Darrel Williams and terminate contract of WR James Washington". NewOrleansSaints.com. August 15, 2023. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
  24. ^ "New Orleans Saints announce roster moves". NewOrleansSaints.com. August 29, 2023. Retrieved February 5, 2025.
[edit]
  • LSU Tigers bio Archived January 19, 2018, at the Wayback Machine
  • Media related to Darrel Williams at Wikimedia Commons