{{Short description|American football player (born 1995)}} {{other people}} {{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}} {{Infobox NFL biography | name = Darrel Williams | image = Darrel Williams.JPG <!-- Only free-content images are allowed for depicting living people -- see WP:NONFREE. --> | alt = | caption = Williams with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2019 | current_team = | number = | position = Running back | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1995|4|15}} | birth_place = Marrero, Louisiana, U.S. | height_ft = 5 | height_in = 11 | weight_lb = 224 | high_school = John Ehret {{nowrap|(Marrero)}} | college = LSU (2014–2017) | undraftedyear = 2018 | pastteams = * Kansas City Chiefs ({{NFL Year|2018}}–{{NFL Year|2021}}) * Arizona Cardinals ({{NFL Year|2022}}) * New Orleans Saints ({{NFL Year|2023}})* | status = | highlights = * Super Bowl champion (LIV) | statweek = | statseason = | statlabel1 = Rushing yards | statvalue1 = 1,014 | statlabel2 = Rushing average | statvalue2 = 3.9 | statlabel3 = Rushing touchdowns | statvalue3 = 11 | statlabel4 = Receptions | statvalue4 = 87 | statlabel5 = Receiving yards | statvalue5 = 771 | statlabel6 = Receiving touchdowns | statvalue6 = 4 | pfr = WillDa10 }} '''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== 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.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=James |date=December 10, 2013 |title=Ehret running back Darrel Williams commits to LSU |url=http://www.nola.com/recruiting/index.ssf/2013/12/ehret_running_back_darrel_will_1.html |access-date=January 19, 2018 |website=NOLA.com |archive-date=January 19, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180119120640/http://www.nola.com/recruiting/index.ssf/2013/12/ehret_running_back_darrel_will_1.html |url-status=live }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Donohue |first=Tyler |date=December 11, 2013 |title=4-Star RB Darrel Williams Commits to LSU over Several SEC Options |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1884918-4-star-rb-darrel-williams-commits-to-lsu-over-several-sec-options |website=Bleacher Report |access-date=February 8, 2015 |archive-date=February 9, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150209042211/http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1884918-4-star-rb-darrel-williams-commits-to-lsu-over-several-sec-options |url-status=live }}</ref>
==College career== 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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Missouri at LSU Box Score, October 1, 2016 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2016-10-01-louisiana-state.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221118230525/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2016-10-01-louisiana-state.html |archive-date=November 18, 2022 |access-date=2023-07-04 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}}</ref>
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.<ref>{{cite web |last=Guilbeau |first=Glenn |date=October 21, 2017 |title="Finally healthy" Derrius Guice, sidekick Darrel Williams total 493 yards in Ole Miss win |work=The Advertiser |url=http://www.theadvertiser.com/story/sports/college/lsu/2017/10/21/herbstreit-picks-ole-miss-but-hey-he-had-miles-going-michigan-weathersby-start/787154001/ |access-date=November 5, 2017 |archive-date=March 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210302015533/https://www.theadvertiser.com/story/sports/college/lsu/2017/10/21/herbstreit-picks-ole-miss-but-hey-he-had-miles-going-michigan-weathersby-start/787154001/ |url-status=live }}</ref> At the end of LSU's 2017 season, Williams accepted an invitation to play in the 2018 Senior Bowl.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shipp |first=Sonny |date=January 16, 2018 |title=Darrel Williams and Christian LaCouture added to Senior Bowl |url=https://247sports.com/college/lsu/Article/LSU-Tigers-football-players-Darrel-Williams-and-Christian-LaCouture-added-to-Senior-Bowl-roster-113799128 |access-date=January 19, 2018 |website=247sports.com |archive-date=July 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230704192919/https://247sports.com/college/lsu/Article/LSU-Tigers-football-players-Darrel-Williams-and-Christian-LaCouture-added-to-Senior-Bowl-roster-113799128/ |url-status=live }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web |date=July 8, 2019 |title=Darrel Williams |url=https://lsusports.net/sports/fb/roster/player/darrel-williams/ |access-date=April 5, 2026 |website=LSU Tigers Athletics}}</ref>
==Professional career== {{NFL predraft | height ft = 5 | height in = 11+5/8 | weight = 225 | dash = 4.72 | ten split = | twenty split = | shuttle = 4.21 | cone drill = | vertical = 32.0 | broad ft = 9 | broad in = 1 | bench = 22 | arm span = 31 | hand span = 9+3/8 | wonderlic = | note = All values from NFL Combine<ref>{{Cite web |last=Zierlein |first=Lance |title=Darrel Williams Combine Profile |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/darrel-williams/32195749-4c20-7361-9bac-e63ffb6793a8 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230704192920/https://www.nfl.com/prospects/darrel-williams/32005749-4c20-7361-9bac-e63ffb6793a8 |archive-date=July 4, 2023 |access-date=September 28, 2020 |website=NFL.com}}</ref> }}
===Kansas City Chiefs===
==== 2018 season ==== 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.<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 5, 2018 |title=Meet the Kansas City Chiefs' 14 Undrafted Rookie Free Agents for 2018 |url=https://www.chiefs.com/news/meet-the-kansas-city-chiefs-14-undrafted-rookie-free-agents-for-2018-20632448 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190321203636/https://www.chiefs.com/news/meet-the-kansas-city-chiefs-14-undrafted-rookie-free-agents-for-2018-20632448 |archive-date=March 21, 2019 |access-date=September 17, 2020 |website=Chiefs.com}}</ref> He totaled 13 carries for 44 yards and three receptions for 27 yards and a touchdown as a rookie.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Darrel Williams 2018 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WillDa10/gamelog/2018/ |access-date=March 12, 2019 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en |archive-date=July 16, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190716025111/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WillDa10/gamelog/2018/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
==== 2019 season ==== 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.<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 29, 2019 |title=Chiefs score late, stay undefeated with 34-30 win over Lions |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/recap?gameId=401128023 |access-date=September 29, 2019 |website=ESPN |agency=Associated Press |archive-date=September 30, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190930071127/https://www.espn.com/nfl/recap?gameId=401128023 |url-status=live }}</ref> He was placed on injured reserve on December 5, 2019, with a hamstring injury.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gantt |first=Darin |date=December 5, 2019 |title=Chiefs put Darrel Williams on injured reserve |url=https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2019/12/05/chiefs-put-darrel-williams-on-injured-reserve/ |access-date=September 17, 2020 |website=Pro Football Talk |publisher=NBC Sports |archive-date=December 6, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191206151814/https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2019/12/05/chiefs-put-darrel-williams-on-injured-reserve/ |url-status=live }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Darrel Williams 2019 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WillDa10/gamelog/2019/ |access-date=January 13, 2020 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en |archive-date=January 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200114112332/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WillDa10/gamelog/2019/ |url-status=live }}</ref> During his absence, the Chiefs went on to win Super Bowl LIV, their first championship in 50 years.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shook |first=Nick |date=February 2, 2020 |title=Kansas City Chiefs win Super Bowl LIV |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/chiefs-rally-once-again-to-defeat-49ers-win-sb-liv-0ap3000001100762 |access-date=February 2, 2020 |website=NFL.com |archive-date=February 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200203035651/http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000001100762/article/chiefs-rally-once-again-to-defeat-49ers-win-sb-liv |url-status=live }}</ref>
==== 2020 season ==== In 2020, Williams finished with 39 carries for 169 yards and a touchdown to go along with 18 receptions for 116 yards.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Darrel Williams 2020 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WillDa10/gamelog/2020/ |access-date=March 4, 2021 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en |archive-date=January 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220105135845/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WillDa10/gamelog/2020/ |url-status=live }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Divisional Round - Cleveland Browns at Kansas City Chiefs - January 17th, 2021 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202101170kan.htm |access-date=March 4, 2021 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en |archive-date=January 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210116103431/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202101170kan.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> In the AFC Championship Game against the Buffalo Bills, Williams rushed for 52 yards and a touchdown during the 38–24 victory.<ref>{{Cite web |title=AFC Championship - Buffalo Bills at Kansas City Chiefs - January 24th, 2021 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202101240kan.htm |access-date=January 31, 2021 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en |archive-date=January 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210130150035/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202101240kan.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> During Super Bowl LV, he had 15 scrimmage yards in the 31–9 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Super Bowl LV - Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Kansas City Chiefs - February 7th, 2021 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202102070tam.htm |access-date=March 4, 2021 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en |archive-date=March 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210302145706/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202102070tam.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>
==== 2021 season ==== thumb|225x225px|Williams in 2021Williams signed a one-year contract extension with the Chiefs on March 16, 2021.<ref>{{cite web |date=March 16, 2021 |title=Chiefs' Darrel Williams: Staying in KC |work=CBSSports.com |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/football/news/chiefs-darrel-williams-staying-in-kc/ |access-date=April 20, 2021 |archive-date=April 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420214041/https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/football/news/chiefs-darrel-williams-staying-in-kc/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Darrel Williams 2021 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WillDa10/gamelog/2021/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220105130506/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WillDa10/gamelog/2021/ |archive-date=January 5, 2022 |access-date=April 5, 2022 |website=Pro Football Reference}}</ref>
===Arizona Cardinals=== On May 31, 2022, Williams signed with the Arizona Cardinals on a one-year contract.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Urban |first=Darren |date=May 31, 2022 |title=Cardinals Add Darrel Williams To Running Back Room |url=https://www.azcardinals.com/news/cardinals-add-darrel-williams-to-running-back-room |access-date=July 2, 2023 |website=AZCardinals.com |archive-date=January 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230131054259/https://www.azcardinals.com/news/cardinals-add-darrel-williams-to-running-back-room |url-status=live }}</ref> He was placed on injured reserve on November 2.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Urban |first=Darren |date=November 2, 2022 |title=Cardinals Claim Defensive Tackle Trysten Hill, Place Darrel Williams On IR |url=https://www.azcardinals.com/news/cardinals-claim-defensive-tackle-trysten-hill-place-darrel-williams-on-ir |access-date=July 2, 2023 |website=AZCardinals.com |archive-date=February 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230206152856/https://www.azcardinals.com/news/cardinals-claim-defensive-tackle-trysten-hill-place-darrel-williams-on-ir |url-status=live }}</ref>
On November 14, backup running back Eno Benjamin was released, making Williams and rookie running back Keontay Ingram the backups.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Alper |first=Josh |date=2022-11-14 |title=Cardinals release Eno Benjamin |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/cardinals-release-eno-benjamin |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221114213622/https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2022/11/14/cardinals-release-eno-benjamin/ |archive-date=November 14, 2022 |access-date=2025-02-05 |website=NBC Sports |language=en-US}}</ref>
===New Orleans Saints=== On August 15, 2023, Williams signed with the New Orleans Saints.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 15, 2023 |title=New Orleans Saints sign RB Darrel Williams and terminate contract of WR James Washington |url=https://www.neworleanssaints.com/news/darrel-williams-running-back-new-orleans-saints-roster-moves-8-15-2023 |access-date=2023-08-15 |website=NewOrleansSaints.com}}</ref> He was released on August 29.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 29, 2023 |title=New Orleans Saints announce roster moves |url=https://www.neworleanssaints.com/news/new-orleans-saints-roster-53-reductions-2023-nfl-season |access-date=2025-02-05 |website=NewOrleansSaints.com}}</ref>
==Career statistics==
===NFL=== {| class="wikitable mw-collapsible" ! colspan="2"| Legend |- | style="background:#afe6ba; width:3em;"| | Won the Super Bowl |- | '''Bold''' | Career high |}
====Regular season==== {| class=wikitable style="text-align:center;" |- ! rowspan="2"| Year ! rowspan="2"| Team ! colspan="2"| Games ! colspan="5"| Rushing ! colspan="5"| Receiving ! colspan="2"| 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 !! style="background:#afe6ba; width:3em;"|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 |- ! colspan="2" | [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WillDa10.htm Career] !! 57 !! 7 !! 258 !! 1,014 !! 3.9 !! 41T !! 11 !! 87 !! 771 !! 8.9 !! 52T !! 4 !! 1 !! 1 |}
====Postseason==== {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |- ! rowspan="2" | Year ! rowspan="2" | Team ! colspan="2" | Games ! colspan="5" | Rushing ! colspan="5" | Receiving ! colspan="2" | 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 !! style="background:#afe6ba; width:3em;"|KC | 0 || 0 || colspan="12"| ''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''' |- ! colspan="2" | [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WillDa10/gamelog/post/ Career] !! 7 !! 1 !! 32 !! 148 !! 4.6 !! 16T !! 2 !! 7 !! 35 !! 5.0 !! 9T !! 0 !! 1 !! 1 |}
===College=== {| class="wikitable" ! rowspan="2"| Year ! rowspan="2"| School ! rowspan="2"| Conf ! rowspan="2"| Class ! rowspan="2"| Pos ! rowspan="2"| G ! colspan="4" style="text-align: center; font-weight:bold;" | Rushing ! colspan="4" style="text-align: center; font-weight:bold;" | Receiving |- | style="font-weight:bold;" | Att | style="font-weight:bold;" | Yds | style="font-weight:bold;" | Avg | style="font-weight:bold;" | TD | style="font-weight:bold;" | Rec | style="font-weight:bold;" | Yds | style="font-weight:bold;" | Avg | style="font-weight:bold;" | 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 |- | style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/darrel-williams-1.html Career] | style="font-weight:bold;" | LSU | colspan="3" style="font-weight:bold;" | | style="font-weight:bold;" | 44 | style="font-weight:bold;" | 321 | style="font-weight:bold;" | 1,651 | style="font-weight:bold;" | 5.1 | style="font-weight:bold;" | 19 | style="font-weight:bold;" | 38 | style="font-weight:bold;" | 462 | style="font-weight:bold;" | 12.2 | style="font-weight:bold;" | 0 |}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *[http://www.lsusports.net/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=209392542 LSU Tigers bio] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180119120936/http://www.lsusports.net/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=209392542 |date=January 19, 2018 }} *{{commons category-inline}}
{{Super Bowl LIV}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Williams, Darrel}} Category:1995 births Category:Living people Category:American football running backs Category:Arizona Cardinals players Category:John Ehret High School alumni Category:Kansas City Chiefs players Category:LSU Tigers football players Category:New Orleans Saints players Category:Players of American football from Marrero, Louisiana