DeAngelo Williams, a native of Wynne, Arkansas, had an illustrious football career at the University of Memphis, where he still holds 10 school records. In four years, he rushed for 6,026 career yards and 55 touchdowns. Williams’ 7,573 all-purpose yards also are a school record.
Williams was named to the 2002 Conference USA All-Freshman Team and followed that with three straight C-USA Offensive Player of the Year awards from 2003-2005. A 2005 Heisman Trophy candidate, Williams averaged an NCAA-leading 178.55 rushing yards per game his senior year.
He set the NCAA record for most 100-yard rushing performances in a career with 34 games – a record that still stands. He finished his career in 2005 as the fourth-leading rusher in NCAA/FBS history with 6,026 yards. Entering the 2019 season, Williams’ 6,026 rushing yards are fifth-most in NCAA/FBS history.
He also finished his career as the NCAA/FBS record-holder for career all-purpose yardage with 7,573 yards. Entering the 2019 season, Williams’ 7,573 all-purpose yards are the fourth-most in NCAA/FBS history.
In his career, Williams was named to 16 All-America teams, including the Walter Camp and American Football Coaches Association squads. He also was a Doak Walker Award finalist as a senior, and claimed MVP honors in the 2005 Motor City Bowl and 2006 Senior Bowl.
Drafted in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft by the Carolina Panthers, Williams played nine seasons (2006-14) in Charlotte and holds the franchise’s single-season rushing record with 1,515 yards in 2008. He is the Panthers’ second all-time leading rusher with 6,846 yards (46 rush touchdowns). Williams played his final two NFL seasons (2015-16) with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Williams made four NFL playoff appearances – three with Carolina and one with Pittsburgh.
He was inducted to the University of Memphis Athletics M Club Hall of Fame in 2014.
Welcome to the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2020, DeAngelo Williams.