{{Short description|American football player (born 1992)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}} {{Infobox NFL biography | name = DeShawn Williams | image = DeShawn Williams (51651073564) (cropped).jpg | alt = | caption = Williams with the Denver Broncos in 2021 | current_team = | number = | position = Defensive tackle | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1992|12|29}} | birth_place = Central, South Carolina, U.S. | death_date = | death_place = | height_ft = 6 | height_in = 1 | weight_lbs = 295 | high_school = D. W. Daniel (Central) | college = Clemson (2011–2014) | undraftedyear = 2015 | pastteams = * Cincinnati Bengals ({{NFL Year|2015}}–{{NFL Year|2017}}) * Denver Broncos ({{NFL Year|2018}})* * Miami Dolphins ({{NFL Year|2018}})* * Indianapolis Colts ({{NFL Year|2018}})* * Denver Broncos ({{NFL Year|2019}})* * Calgary Stampeders ({{CFL Year|2020}})* * Denver Broncos ({{NFL Year|2020}}–{{NFL Year|2022}}) * Carolina Panthers ({{NFL Year|2023}}) * Buffalo Bills ({{NFL Year|2024}})* * Carolina Panthers ({{NFL Year|2024}}) | status = | statweek = | statseason = 2024 | statlabel1 = Total tackles | statvalue1 = 164 | statlabel2 = Sacks | statvalue2 = 9.5 | statlabel3 = Interceptions | statvalue3 = 1 | pfr = WillDe04 }}
'''DeShawn Shamaine Williams''' (born December 29, 1992)<ref>{{cite web|author=DeShawn Williams |url=http://www.nfl.com/player/deshawnwilliams/2553623/profile |title=DeShawn Williams, DT for the Cincinnati Bengals at |website=Nfl.com |access-date=July 29, 2016}}</ref> is an American professional football defensive end. He played college football for the Clemson Tigers.
==Professional career== {{NFL predraft | height ft = 6 | height in = 0 1/2 | weight = 303 | dash = 5.07 | ten split = 1.71 | twenty split = 2.94 | shuttle = 4.66 | cone drill = 7.70 | vertical = 30.0 | broad ft = 8 | broad in = 9 | bench = 28 | arm span = 32 1/4 | hand span = 9 1/4 | wonderlic = | note = All values from Pro Day<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=97461&DraftYear=2015 |title=2015 Draft Scout DeShawn Williams, Clemson NFL Draft Scout College Football Profile |website=draftscout.com |access-date=August 24, 2022}}</ref> }}
===Cincinnati Bengals=== Williams signed with the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent on May 8, 2015.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bengals announce undrafted free agents signed|url=http://www.cincyjungle.com/2015/5/8/8565497/bengals-announce-undrafted-free-agents|last1=Marcum|first1=Jason|last2=Toback|first2=Rebecca|website=CincyJungle.com|date=May 8, 2015|access-date=April 21, 2017}}</ref> He was released by the Bengals on September 5, 2015, during final roster cuts and was signed to the practice squad the next day. He spent his entire rookie season on the practice squad.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bengals roster cuts: Bengals 53-man roster 2015|url=http://www.cincyjungle.com/2015/9/5/9265317/bengals-roster-cuts-bengals-53-man-roster-2015|author=Toback, Rebecca|website=CincyJungle.com|date=September 5, 2015|access-date=November 21, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Cincinnati Bengals 2015 practice squad announced|url=http://www.cincyjungle.com/2015/9/6/9268985/cincinnati-bengals-2015-practice-squad-announced|author=Kirkendall, Josh|website=CincyJungle.com|date=September 6, 2015|access-date=November 21, 2016}}</ref> He signed a reserve/futures contract with the Bengals on January 6, 2016.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/nfl/bengals/2016/05/11/cincinnati-bengals-deshawn-williams-2016-defensive-line/84227460/|title=After passing on Saints, DeShawn Williams bets on Bengals|access-date=September 1, 2016}}</ref>
He was released by the Bengals on November 26, 2016, but was re-signed two days later.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bengals activate Cedric Peerman, sign Tyler Ott; Derron Smith ruled out vs Ravens|url=http://www.cincyjungle.com/2016/11/26/13752830/bengals-activate-cedric-peerman-sign-tyler-ott-derron-smith-out-vs-ravens|author=Marcum, Jason|website=CincyJungle.com|date=November 26, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Bengals place cornerback Chykie Brown on Injured Reserve|url=http://www.cincyjungle.com/2016/11/28/13770156/bengals-place-cornerback-chykie-brown-on-injured-reserve|author=Toback, Rebecca|website=CincyJungle.com|date=November 28, 2016}}</ref>
On September 2, 2017, Williams was waived by the Bengals and was signed to the practice squad the next day.<ref>{{cite web|title=NFL roster cuts 2017: Cincinnati Bengals 53-man roster|url=https://www.cincyjungle.com/2017/9/2/16245134/nfl-roster-cuts-2017-cincinnati-bengals-53-man-roster|author=Toback, Rebecca|website=CincyJungle.com|date=September 2, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Elliott, DeShawn Williams return on practice squad|url=http://www.bengals.com/news/article-1/Elliott-DeShawn-Williams-return-on-practice-squad/b1860d51-dc9b-4b71-ad8b-d3225052bfc3|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171013173439/http://www.bengals.com/news/article-1/Elliott-DeShawn-Williams-return-on-practice-squad/b1860d51-dc9b-4b71-ad8b-d3225052bfc3|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 13, 2017|author=Hobson, Geoff|website=Bengals.com|date=September 3, 2017}}</ref>
===Denver Broncos (first stint)=== On January 17, 2018, Williams signed a reserve/future contract with the Denver Broncos.<ref>{{cite web|title=Broncos sign three players to future contracts|url=https://www.denverbroncos.com/news/broncos-sign-three-players-to-future-contracts-20266681|website=DenverBroncos.com|date=January 17, 2018}}</ref> He was waived on September 1, 2018, and was signed to the practice squad the next day.<ref>{{cite web|title=Broncos trim roster to 53 players|url=https://www.denverbroncos.com/news/broncos-trim-roster-to-53-players|author=DiLalla, Aric|website=DenverBroncos.com|date=September 1, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Broncos sign nine players to practice squad|url=https://www.denverbroncos.com/news/broncos-sign-nine-players-to-practice-squad|author=DiLalla, Aric|website=DenverBroncos.com|date=September 2, 2018}}</ref> He was released on September 11, 2018.<ref>{{cite web|title=Broncos sign S Shamarko Thomas to active roster, Niles Scott to practice squad|url=https://www.denverbroncos.com/news/broncos-sign-s-shamarko-thomas-to-active-roster-niles-scott-to-practice-squad|website=DenverBroncos.com|date=September 11, 2018}}</ref>
===Miami Dolphins=== On October 16, 2018, Williams was signed to the Miami Dolphins practice squad.<ref>{{cite web|title=Former Clemson DT signs with Dolphins|url=https://www.tigernet.com/update/Former-Clemson-DT-signs-with-Dolphins-31156|website=TigerNet.com|date=October 17, 2018}}</ref> On December 5, 2018, Williams was released from the Dolphins practice squad.
===Indianapolis Colts=== On December 10, 2018, Williams was signed to the Indianapolis Colts practice squad.<ref>{{cite web|title=Roster Moves: Colts Sign DT DeShawn Williams To Practice Squad|url=https://www.colts.com/news/roster-moves-colts-sign-dt-deshawn-williams-to-practice-squad|website=Colts.com|date=December 10, 2018}}</ref> He signed a reserve/future contract on January 13, 2019.<ref>{{cite news|work=USAToday.com|url=https://coltswire.usatoday.com/2019/01/13/indianapolis-colts-sign-9-futures-contracts/|title=Colts sign 9 players to futures contracts|first=Kevin|last=Hickey|date=January 13, 2019|access-date=January 13, 2019}}</ref> He was waived on April 30, 2019.<ref>{{cite web|title=Colts Sign Free Agent Running Back Spencer Ware|url=https://www.colts.com/news/colts-sign-free-agent-running-back-spencer-ware|author=Walker, Andrew|website=Colts.com|date=April 30, 2019}}</ref>
===Denver Broncos (second stint)=== On May 13, 2019, Williams was signed by the Broncos.<ref>{{cite web|title=Broncos sign four players as OTAs begin|url=https://www.denverbroncos.com/news/broncos-sign-four-players-as-otas-begin|author=DiLalla, Aric|website=DenverBroncos.com|date=May 13, 2019}}</ref> He was released on August 31, 2019.<ref>{{cite web|title=Broncos make series of roster moves to reach 53-man limit|url=https://www.denverbroncos.com/news/broncos-make-series-of-roster-moves-to-reach-53-man-limit|author=DiLalla, Aric|website=DenverBroncos.com|date=August 31, 2019}}</ref>
===Calgary Stampeders=== Williams signed with the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League (CFL) on December 5, 2019.<ref>{{cite news |title=Stampeders sign Reinhart and Williams |url=https://www.stampeders.com/2019/12/05/stampeders-sign-reinhart-williams/ |website=Stampeders.com |date=December 5, 2019 |access-date=August 16, 2020}}</ref> He was released on August 11, 2020.<ref>{{cite news |title=Stampeders release defensive lineman |url=https://www.stampeders.com/2020/08/11/stampeders-release-defensive-lineman/ |website=Stampeders.com |date=August 11, 2020 |access-date=August 16, 2020}}</ref> He did not play a game for the Stampeders as the 2020 CFL season had been postponed to due the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada.
===Denver Broncos (third stint)=== On August 15, 2020, Williams re-signed with the Broncos, his third stint with the team.<ref>{{cite web|title=Broncos sign DL DeShawn Williams|url=https://www.denverbroncos.com/news/broncos-sign-dl-deshawn-williams|website=DenverBroncos.com|date=August 15, 2020}}</ref> He was waived on September 5, 2020,<ref>{{cite web|title=Broncos make series of transactions to reach 53-man roster limit|url=https://www.denverbroncos.com/news/broncos-make-series-of-transactions-to-reach-53-man-roster-limit|author=DiLalla, Aric|website=DenverBroncos.com|date=September 5, 2020}}</ref> but was signed to the practice squad the following day.<ref>{{cite web |last1=DiLalla |first1=Aric |title=Broncos sign 15 players to practice squad |url=https://www.denverbroncos.com/news/broncos-sign-15-players-to-practice-squad |website=Denver Broncos |access-date=September 6, 2020 |date=September 6, 2020}}</ref> He was promoted to the active roster on September 25, 2020.<ref>{{cite web|title=Broncos promote QB Brett Rypien, DL DeShawn Williams to active roster|url=https://www.denverbroncos.com/news/broncos-promote-qb-brett-rypien-dl-deshawn-williams-to-active-roster|author=DiLalla, Aric|website=DenverBroncos.com|date=September 25, 2020}}</ref>
In Week 6 against the New England Patriots, Williams recorded his first career interception off a pass thrown by Cam Newton during the 18–12 win.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Denver Broncos at New England Patriots - October 18th, 2020 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202010180nwe.htm |access-date=2020-10-22 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> In Week 11 against the Miami Dolphins, Williams recorded his first two career sacks on Tua Tagovailoa during the 20–13 win.<ref>{{cite web |title=Miami Dolphins at Denver Broncos - November 22nd, 2020 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202011220den.htm |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |access-date=28 November 2020 |language=en}}</ref>
Williams entered the 2021 season as a backup interior defensive lineman. He was named a starter in Week 8 and started the remainder of the season. He suffered an elbow injury in Week 16 and was placed on injured reserve on December 28.<ref>{{cite web|title=Broncos sign DT Justin Hamilton, place DT DeShawn Williams on IR|url=https://www.denverbroncos.com/news/broncos-sign-dt-justin-hamilton-place-dt-deshawn-williams-on-ir|author=DiLalla, Aric|website=DenverBroncos.com|date=December 28, 2021}}</ref> He finished the season with 39 tackles, one sack, and two passes defensed through 15 games and eight starts.
On March 18, 2022, Williams re-signed with the Broncos.<ref>{{cite web|title=Broncos sign DL DeShawn Williams to one-year deal|url=https://www.denverbroncos.com/news/broncos-sign-dl-deshawn-williams-to-one-year-deal|author=DiLalla, Aric|website=DenverBroncos.com|date=March 18, 2022}}</ref> He played all 17 games with 15 starts, recording 37 tackles and a career-high 4.5 sacks.
===Carolina Panthers=== On March 15, 2023, Williams signed a one-year contract with the Carolina Panthers.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.panthers.com/news/panthers-agree-to-terms-with-deshawn-williams|title=Panthers agree to terms with DeShawn Williams|work=Panthers.com|date=March 15, 2023|first=Darin|last=Gantt}}</ref> He played in 16 games with 10 starts, recording 33 tackles and one sack.
=== Buffalo Bills === On March 28, 2024, Williams signed with the Buffalo Bills.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bills sign DT DeShawn Williams to one-year deal|url=https://www.buffalobills.com/news/bills-sign-dt-deshawn-williams-to-one-year-deal|website=BuffaloBills.com|date=March 28, 2024}}</ref> He was released as part of final roster cuts on August 27.<ref>{{cite web|title=Buffalo Bills made these moves to get to initial 53-man roster {{!}} 2024|url=https://www.buffalobills.com/news/buffalo-bills-made-these-moves-to-get-to-initial-53-man-roster|author=White, Alec|website=BuffaloBills.com|date=August 27, 2024}}</ref>
===Carolina Panthers (second stint)=== On September 10, 2024, Williams was signed to the Carolina Panthers practice squad.<ref>{{cite web|title=Derrick Brown placed on injured reserve|url=https://www.panthers.com/news/derrick-brown-placed-on-injured-reserve|author=Gantt, Darin|website=Panthers.com|date=September 10, 2024}}</ref> He was promoted to the active roster on October 8.<ref>{{cite web|title=Panthers sign DeShawn Williams to 53, add Shaq Lawson|url=https://www.panthers.com/news/panthers-add-deshawn-williams-to-53-add-shaq-lawson|author=Gantt, Darin|website=Panthers.com|date=October 8, 2024}}</ref> He was waived on December 10, and re-signed to the practice squad the next day.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Heath |first=Jon |date=2024-12-10 |title=Panthers waive former Broncos defensive lineman |url=https://broncoswire.usatoday.com/2024/12/10/nfl-news-panthers-cut-ex-broncos-dl-deshawn-williams/ |access-date=2024-12-10 |website=Broncos Wire |language=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Allen |first=Ely |date=2024-12-12 |title=NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/11/24 |url=https://www.profootballrumors.com/2024/12/nfl-practice-squad-updates-12-11-24 |access-date=2025-08-03 |website=Pro Football Rumors}}</ref>
==NFL career statistics== {| class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" ! colspan="2"| Legend |- | '''Bold''' | Career high |}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |- !rowspan="2"| Year !rowspan="2"| Team !colspan="2"| Games !colspan="5"| Tackles !colspan="5"| Interceptions !colspan="4"| Fumbles |- ! GP !! GS !! Cmb !! Solo !! Ast !! Sck !! TFL !! Int !! Yds !! TD !! Lng !! PD !! FF !! FR !! Yds !! TD |- ! 2016 !! CIN | 4 || 0 || 2 || 1 || 1 || 0.5 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 |- ! 2020 !! DEN | 14 || 11 || 37 || 20 || 17 || 2.0 || '''4''' || '''1''' || '''1''' || 0 || '''1''' || '''3''' || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 |- ! 2021 !! DEN | 15 || 8 || '''39''' || 17 || '''22''' || 1.0 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 2 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 |- ! 2022 !! DEN | '''17''' || '''15''' || 37 || '''21''' || 16 || '''4.5''' || '''4''' || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || '''3''' || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 |- ! 2023 !! CAR | 16 || 10 || 33 || 13 || 20 || 1.0 || 2 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 |- ! colspan="2"| Total !! 66 !! 44 !! 148 !! 72 !! 76 !! 9.0 !! 11 !! 1 !! 1 !! 0 !! 1 !! 9 !! 0 !! 0 !! 0 !! 0 |}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *{{commons category-inline}} *[https://clemsontigers.com/sports/football/roster/deshawn-williams/ Clemson Tigers bio]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Williams, DeShawn}} Category:1992 births Category:Living people Category:Players of American football from Pickens County, South Carolina Category:People from Central, South Carolina Category:Players of Canadian football from South Carolina Category:Canadian football defensive linemen Category:American football defensive tackles Category:Calgary Stampeders players Category:Clemson Tigers football players Category:Cincinnati Bengals players Category:Denver Broncos players Category:Miami Dolphins players Category:Indianapolis Colts players Category:Carolina Panthers players Category:Buffalo Bills players