D . J . Williams ( linebacker ) Genos Derwin " " D . J . " " Williams , Jr . ( born July 20 , 1982 ) , more commonly known as D . J . Williams , is an American football linebacker for the Chicago Bears of 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 . High school career . Williams played high school football at 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 ) . College career . 2000 - 2001 . 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 . 2001 - 2002 . 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 . 2002 - 2003 . In 2002 , he was one of 11 semi - finalists for the Butkus Award along with teammate Jonathan Vilma 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 . 2003 - 2004 . In his final year at Miami he blossomed into one of the best players in the country , finishing his senior year in 2003 as a semifinalist for the Butkus Award He also a named third - team All - American by the Associated Press and a first - team All - Big East Conference choice . Williams ' finished second on the team with 82 tackles ( 44 solo ) and tie for the team - lead with six sacks , forced a fumble and recovered another . His highlight of the season was a 61 - yard run for a touchdown off a fake punt . Professional career . NFL Draft . Williams was selected by the Denver Broncos in the first round ( 17th overall ) of the 2004 NFL Draft . Williams has emerged as one of the league ' s top linebackers . Denver Broncos . 2004 - 2005 . In his rookie year , he started 14 of 16 games and led the Broncos with 114 tackles ( 82 solo ) . He also recorded two sacks , one interception and one forced fumble . Although an early candidate for Defensive Rookie of the Year , the award went to then - New York Jets linebacker Jonathan Vilma . 2005 - 2006 . Williams was moved from his weak - side linebacker position to strong - side linebacker following the Broncos signing of Ian Gold . He finished with 55 tackles ( 39 solo ) while adding three pass deflections and one forced fumble . . Williams also contributed two tackles and a forced fumble on special teams . He pleaded guilty in September 2005 to driving drunk and was ordered to perform 24 hours of community service . 2006 - 2007 . In the 2006 season , he amassed 76 tackles ( 59 solo ) , a sack , one forced fumble , two pass deflections . 2007 - 2008 . Following the injury - related release of Al Wilson , Williams was moved to his third position , middle linebacker . He finished the 2007 season 2nd in the NFL with 141 tackles ( 106 solo ) along with one sack and one interception . 2009 - 2010 . 2009 brought change to the Broncos defense when former Patriots offensive coordinator , Josh McDaniels was hired as head coach . McDaniels hired former 49ers head coach and defensive guru Mike Nolan as defensive coordinator . Nolan installed the 3 - 4 defense , in which he moved D . J . Williams to inside linebacker ( ILB ) . Playing the " Jack " ILB position ( same as Patrick Willis - 49ers ) , Williams finished the season with 122 tackles , 3 . 5 sacks and 3 forced fumbles . On November 12 , 2010 , Williams was pulled over by a Police officer for driving without headlights on . He was cited for DUI , a misdemeanor and driving without headlights . As this was his second DUI charge , Williams faces a mandatory 10 - day jail sentence and a minimum of two years probation if he is convicted - he was ordered to appear in court on December 13 . As a result of the arrest , the Denver Broncos fined Williams and demoted him from Defensive Co - Captain . It was also announced that he would not start the Week 10 match - up against AFC West rivals the Kansas City Chiefs . By the end of the season , Williams finished with 119 tackles ( 94 solo ) , 5 . 5 sacks , 9 pass deflection and 1 forced fumble . 2012 . In March 2012 , Williams was suspended for six games after failing a mandatory league drug test . Williams ' suspension was extended by three games by the NFL . Williams was released by the Broncos on March 11 , 2013 . Chicago Bears . 2013 . On March 22 , 2013 the Chicago Bears signed Williams to a one - year contract .