D. J. Williams (tight end)

Last updated

D.J. Williams
DJ Williams Packers tight end.jpg
Williams with the Packers in 2012
No. 84, 85, 86
Position: Tight end
Personal information
Born: (1988-09-10) September 10, 1988 (age 36)
Fort Worth, Texas, U.S.
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:245 lb (111 kg)
Career information
High school: Central Arkansas Christian (North Little Rock, Arkansas)
College: Arkansas
NFL draft: 2011  / round: 5 / pick: 141
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Receptions:9
Receiving yards:70
Receiving average:7.8
Stats at Pro Football Reference

David Edward "D. J." Williams Jr. (born September 10, 1988) is a former American football tight end. He was selected by the Green Bay Packers out of University of Arkansas in the fifth round (141st pick overall) in the 2011 NFL draft.

Contents

Early life

Williams attended Central Arkansas Christian High School, where his initial athletic interest was basketball. He was encouraged to try football by high school coach Tim Perry. DJ was named all-state after his senior season, and was considered a four star recruit by most recruiting services. [1]

College career

Williams (45) with the Arkansas Razorbacks in 2008 D. J. Williams and Casey Dick (October 4, 2008).jpg
Williams (45) with the Arkansas Razorbacks in 2008

Williams played college football for the Arkansas Razorbacks. He was long considered a competitor for the 2010 John Mackey Award which is awarded to the nation's most outstanding tight end, along with Lance Kendricks and Michael Egnew. [2] On December 9, 2010 it was announced that DJ was the 2010 John Mackey Award recipient at the 2010 Home Depot College Football Awards Red Carpet show on ESPNU. He also won the 2010 Disney Spirit Award as college football's most inspirational player. DJ was named to the 2010 1st Team All-SEC squad by the coaches and the AP, after amassing 54 receptions for 627 yards and 4 TD for a Razorbacks team that finished 10-3 after a loss to Ohio St in the Sugar Bowl. Arkansas won the Liberty Bowl over East Carolina in his junior year of 2009, finishing with a record of 8-5. [3]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 2+1⁄8 in
(1.88 m)		245 lb
(111 kg)		31+1⁄2 in
(0.80 m)		10+3⁄8 in
(0.26 m)		4.67 s1.62 s2.72 s4.51 s7.29 s33.5 in
(0.85 m)		9 ft 3 in
(2.82 m)		20 reps
All values from NFL Combine [4] [5]

Green Bay Packers

Williams was considered one of the best tight end prospects for the 2011 NFL draft. [6] Williams was selected in the fifth round, with the 141st overall pick, by the Green Bay Packers. [7] [8]

Williams was released by the Packers on August 31, 2013. [9]

Jacksonville Jaguars

Williams was claimed off waivers by the Jacksonville Jaguars on September 1, 2013.

He was released by the Jaguars on November 4, 2013. [10]

New England Patriots

On November 26, 2013, he was signed by the New England Patriots.

On December 4, 2013, he was waived by the New England Patriots.

Williams re-signed with the Patriots on December 9, 2013, after a season-ending injury to starting tight end Rob Gronkowski. [11]

On August 21, 2014, Williams was released by the Patriots. [12]

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Williams signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on November 25, 2014. [13] He was waived on December 2. [14]

Washington Redskins

On August 16, 2015, the Washington Redskins signed Williams. [15] On September 4, he was waived with an injury settlement for final roster cuts before the start of the regular season. [16]

NFL statistics

YearTeamGamesReceptionsTargetsYardsAverage Receiving YardsLongest ReceptionReceiving TouchdownsFirst DownsFumblesFumbles Lost
2011 GB 1324136.570000
2012 GB 13715578.1120300
TotalTotal35921707.8120300

[17]

Personal life

Williams is a member of Pleasant Valley Church of Christ in Little Rock, Arkansas. Although like other students Williams could have cited many accolades, he chose this statement alone to appear with his picture in the yearbook: "Baptized into Christ." Williams has cited The Passion of the Christ as exemplifying the way he and his mother, Vicky Williams, and his two sisters overcame his abusive father and other challenges, including on the football field. DJ was working as a co-host on the morning show at Little Rock NBC affiliate television station KARK channel 4, when he was called by the Washington Redskins to join the team during their 2015 pre-season camp. Since he was cut before the regular season began, Williams returned to KARK. [1] Williams has spearheaded "D.J.'s Day of Action" to build awareness and raise funds for Women & Children First, a Little Rock charity that helped Williams' family break the cycle of domestic violence when he was a child. [18]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kellen Winslow II</span> American football player (born 1983)

Kellen Boswell Winslow II is an American former professional football player who was a tight end in the National Football League (NFL). Playing college football for the Miami Hurricanes, he earned unanimous All-American honors and recognition as the top college tight end in 2003. He won a BCS national championship with Miami in 2001.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alex Smith (tight end)</span> American football player (born 1982)

Edwin Alexander Smith, is an American former professional football player who was a tight end in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Stanford Cardinal and was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the third round of the 2005 NFL draft. Smith was also a member of the New England Patriots, Philadelphia Eagles, Cleveland Browns, and Cincinnati Bengals, New Orleans Saints, and Washington Redskins.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jason Peters</span> American football player (born 1982)

Jason Raynard Peters is an American professional football offensive tackle for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Arkansas Razorbacks and was signed as a tight end by the Buffalo Bills as an undrafted free agent after the 2004 NFL draft. He was later traded to the Philadelphia Eagles in 2009 and spent the next twelve seasons playing for them, before joining the Chicago Bears in 2021, the Dallas Cowboys in 2022, and the Seattle Seahawks in 2023. He is currently the oldest active NFL player.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marcedes Lewis</span> American football player (born 1984)

Marcedes Alexis Lewis is an American professional football tight end for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the UCLA Bruins, earning consensus All-American honors. He was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first round of the 2006 NFL draft, and as of the 2024 NFL season, is the only remaining active player from the class.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fred Davis (tight end)</span> American football player (born 1986)

Frederick Martin Davis is an American former professional football player who was a tight end for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by Washington in the second round of the 2008 NFL draft. He played college football for the USC Trojans, earning first-team All-American honors and winning the John Mackey Award as the nation's top tight end in 2007.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Martellus Bennett</span> American football player (born 1987)

Martellus Demond Bennett is an American former professional football tight end who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 10 seasons. He played college football for the Texas A&M Aggies football and was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the second round of the 2008 NFL draft. Bennett was a member of five teams during his career, most notably the Chicago Bears, with whom he earned Pro Bowl honors, and the New England Patriots, with whom he won Super Bowl LI. After retiring, Bennett became a children's author and published books under his publication company The Imagination Agency. He is the younger brother of former defensive end Michael Bennett.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jermichael Finley</span> American football player (born 1987)

Jermichael Decorean Finley is an American former professional football player who was a tight end in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the third round of the 2008 NFL draft. With the Packers, he attended the Super Bowl XLV win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, not participating due to injury. He played college football for the Texas Longhorns.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chase Coffman</span> American football player (born 1986)

Chase Allen Coffman is an American former professional football player who was a tight end in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Missouri Tigers, earning consensus All-American honors and the John Mackey Award as the best college tight end in the country in 2008. He was chosen by the Cincinnati Bengals in the third round of the 2009 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mitch Petrus</span> American football player (1987–2019)

Johnathan Mitchell Petrus was an American professional football guard who played in the National Football League (NFL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lance Kendricks</span> American football player (born 1988)

Lance Ronnie Kendricks is an American former professional football player who was a tight end in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Wisconsin Badgers, earning consensus All-American honors in 2010. He was selected by the St. Louis Rams in the second round of the 2011 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Knile Davis</span> American football player (born 1991)

Knile Rashaad Davis is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Arkansas Razorbacks and was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs in the third round of the 2013 NFL draft. He also had brief stints with the Green Bay Packers, New York Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Chicago Bears.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jake Bequette</span> American football player (born 1989)

George Jules "Jake" Bequette III is an American former professional football player who was a defensive end and United States Army infantry officer who served in Iraq in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. He was selected in the third round with the 90th overall pick by the Patriots in the 2012 NFL draft. He played high school football at Catholic High in Little Rock, Arkansas, and college football for the University of Arkansas. Bequette was rated highly as a defensive end prospect in that year's draft. He was an unsuccessful candidate for the Republican nomination in the 2022 United States Senate election in Arkansas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Gragg</span> American football player and coach (born 1990)

Christopher Le'Edward Gragg is an American former professional football player who was a tight end for three seasons with the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League (NFL). Born in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, Gragg played college football for the Arkansas Razorbacks and was selected by the Bills in the seventh round of the 2013 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hunter Henry</span> American football player (born 1994)

Hunter Henry is an American professional football tight end for the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Arkansas Razorbacks, earning unanimous All-American honors in 2015. Henry was selected by the San Diego Chargers in the second round of the 2016 NFL draft. He was a member of the Chargers for five seasons before joining the Patriots in 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Richard Rodgers (tight end)</span> American football player (born 1992)

Richard Christopher Rodgers II is an American football tight end who is a free agent. He played college football at California and was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the third round of the 2014 NFL draft. He has also been a member of the Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Football Team, Arizona Cardinals, and Los Angeles Chargers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trey Flowers</span> American football player (born 1993)

Robert Lee "Trey" Flowers III is an American professional football defensive end who is a free agent. He played college football at Arkansas and was selected by the New England Patriots in the fourth round of the 2015 NFL draft. Flowers has also played for the Detroit Lions and Miami Dolphins.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">A. J. Derby</span> American football player (born 1991)

Alexander John Derby is an American former professional football tight end. He played college football at Iowa (2010–11), Coffeyville Community College (2012), and Arkansas (2013–14).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jeremy Sprinkle</span> American football player (born 1994)

Jeremy Sprinkle is an American former professional football tight end who played five seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the Washington Redskins in the 2017 NFL draft. He played college football at the University of Arkansas. He spent the majority of his career in Washington and played one season for the Dallas Cowboys.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ryan Izzo</span> American football player (born 1995)

Ryan Anthony Izzo is an American professional tight end who is a free agent. He played college football at Florida State, and was drafted by the New England Patriots in the 2018 NFL draft.

References

  1. 1 2 Harris, Hamil; Tryggestad, Erik (February 2011). "'You have to find some way to stand back up': Abuse and struggle defined D.J. Williams' childhood, but the scholar-athlete and church member endured—and lives by faith". Christian Chronicle. Vol. 68, no. 2. pp. 18–19. Archived from the original on December 20, 2012. Retrieved January 4, 2011. The article also describes the situation cited on the ESPN broadcast of the Sugar Bowl Game; with 58 seconds remaining in the third quarter, ESPNHD announcer Holly Rowe described how, on a night after Vickie Williams' husband beat her, Vickie Williams spread a map on the table in front of her children, and little D. J. pointed to Little Rock, Arkansas, as the place to which they should move to get away from his father. The Christian Chronicle article cites that within 24 hours D. J.'s alcohol-plagued father had been arrested for an unrelated crime. In 2011 D. J.'s father remains incarcerated for assault on a public servant, and D. J. has had no conversation with him in many years. In the Christian Chronicle article (p. 19), D. J. says: "I pray every day to be able to forgive him."
  2. ↑ "Hogs' Williams finalist for Mackey Award". ESPN College Football. November 22, 2010. Retrieved January 4, 2011.
  3. ↑ "D. J. Williams wins spirit award". Central Arkansas Christian. November 19, 2010. Archived from the original on July 25, 2011. Retrieved January 4, 2011.
  4. ↑ "D.J. Williams Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  5. ↑ "2011 NFL Draft Scout D.J. Williams College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  6. ↑ "D.J. Williams, DS #1 TE, Arkansas". NFLDraftScout.com. December 19, 2010. Archived from the original on September 2, 2012. Retrieved January 4, 2011.
  7. ↑ "Packers Draft Arkansas TE D.J. Williams in Fifth Round". Green Bay Packers. April 30, 2011. Archived from the original on September 5, 2012. Retrieved April 30, 2011.
  8. ↑ "2011 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 26, 2019.
  9. ↑ "D.J. Williams tweets he's been released | Packersnews | packersnews.com". Archived from the original on September 3, 2013. Retrieved August 31, 2013.
  10. ↑ "Jags add WR to replace Blackmon". November 4, 2013.
  11. ↑ "Patriots re-sign TE D.J. Williams; TE Rob Gronkowski placed on injured reserve". Archived from the original on January 14, 2014. Retrieved December 9, 2013.
  12. ↑ "Patriots release DL Marcus Forston and TE D.J. Williams". Archived from the original on August 23, 2014. Retrieved August 21, 2014.
  13. ↑ Alper, Josh (November 25, 2014). "Buccaneers add two tight ends". NBCSports.com. Retrieved August 15, 2015.
  14. ↑ Smith, Scott (December 2, 2014). "Bucs Bring Rookie Patton Back". Buccaneers.com. Archived from the original on September 23, 2015. Retrieved August 15, 2015.
  15. ↑ Walker, Andrew (August 16, 2015). "Redskins Sign Tight Ends D.J. Williams And Ernst Brun". Redskins.com. Archived from the original on August 17, 2015. Retrieved August 15, 2015.
  16. ↑ Jones, Mike (September 4, 2015). "Redskins begin making final roster cuts". WashingtonPost.com. Retrieved September 5, 2015.
  17. ↑ "D.J. Williams Stats". ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved January 13, 2014.
  18. ↑ "D.J.'s Day of Action set for March 14". Arkansasmatters.com. Retrieved June 2, 2022.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.