D. J. Williams (linebacker)

D.J. Williams

Williams with the Denver Broncos
No. 52, 55, 58
Position:	Linebacker
Personal information
Date of birth:	(1982-07-20) July 20, 1982 (age 34)
Place of birth:	Sacramento, California
Height:	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:	242 lb (110 kg)
Career information
High school:	Concord (CA) De La Salle
College:	Miami (FL)
NFL Draft:	2004 / Round: 1 / Pick: 17
Career history
Denver Broncos (2004–2012) Chicago Bears (2013–2014)
Career highlights and awards
USA Today High School All-American (1999) 2× First-Team All-Big East (2002, 2003) AFC Combined tackles leader (2007)
Career NFL statistics
Tackles: 899 Sacks: 22.5 Forced fumbles: 14 Interceptions: 2 Player stats at NFL.com

Genos Derwin “D. J.” Williams, Jr. (born July 20, 1982), more commonly known as D.J. Williams, is a former American football linebacker who played in the National Football League. He played college football at the University of Miami. He was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the first round of the 2004 NFL Draft. He also played for the Chicago Bears.

Williams, born and raised in Sacramento, California, lived with family in the Bay Area during high school. Williams did this in order to play high school football at Concord, 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).

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.

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.

In 2002, he was one of 11 semi-finalists for the Butkus Award along with teammate Jonathan Vilma, who 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.