# D. J. Williams (tight end)

David Edward "D. J." Williams Jr. (born September 10, 1988) is an American former professional football player who was a tight end in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Arkansas Razorbacks before being selected by the Green Bay Packers in the fifth round of the 2011 NFL draft.

## 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.

## College career

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. 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.

## Professional career

Pre-draft measurables :
| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-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 s | 1.62 s | 2.72 s | 4.51 s | 7.29 s | 33.5 in (0.85 m) | 9 ft 3 in (2.82 m) | 20 reps |
| All values from NFL Combine ||||||||||||

### Green Bay Packers

Williams was considered one of the best tight end prospects for the 2011 NFL draft. Williams was selected in the fifth round, with the 141st overall pick, by the Green Bay Packers.
Williams was released by the Packers on August 31, 2013.

### 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.

### 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.
On August 21, 2014, Williams was released by the Patriots.

### Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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

### Washington Redskins

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

### NFL statistics

| Year | Team | Games | Receptions | Targets | Yards | Average Receiving Yards | Longest Reception | Receiving Touchdowns | First Downs | Fumbles | Fumbles Lost |
| 2011 | GB | 13 | 2 | 4 | 13 | 6.5 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2012 | GB | 13 | 7 | 15 | 57 | 8.1 | 12 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | Total | 35 | 9 | 21 | 70 | 7.8 | 12 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 |

## 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. 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.