Darrel Williams

Darrel Williams (born April 15, 1995) is an American professional football running back. He played college football for the LSU Tigers and was signed by the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent in 2018. Williams has also been a member of the Arizona Cardinals and New Orleans Saints.

Williams was a four-star recruit coming out of John Ehret High School in Marrero, Louisiana after rushing for 2,036 yards and 27 touchdowns as a senior. He originally committed to play college football for Arizona State, but after a running back spot opened up at LSU, Williams was recruited by head coach Les Miles to play for them. Williams decided to flip his commitment to LSU over offers from Wisconsin, Tennessee, and Florida, among others.

In Williams's freshman season at LSU, he joined a four-player running back rotation. On October 1, 2016, against Missouri, Williams had 21 carries for 130 rushing yards and three touchdowns.

As a senior, he played in 13 games, starting four, while serving as the primary backup to Derrius Guice. On October 21, 2017, against Ole Miss, Williams became the first player in LSU history to record at least 100 rushing yards and 100 receiving yards in the same game. At the end of LSU's 2017 season, Williams accepted an invitation to play in the 2018 Senior Bowl. He was named one of LSU’s two team MVPs (along with linebacker Devin White) at the conclusion of his senior season in 2017.

Williams finished his career with 321 carries for 1,651 yards and 19 touchdowns to go along with 38 receptions for 462 yards.

After going undrafted in the 2018 NFL draft, Williams was signed by the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent on May 5, 2018. He totaled 13 carries for 44 yards and three receptions for 27 yards and a touchdown as a rookie.

During Week 4 against the Detroit Lions, Williams rushed eight times for 13 yards and two touchdowns and caught three passes for 43 yards in the 34–30 victory. He was placed on injured reserve on December 5, 2019, with a hamstring injury. Williams finished the season with 41 carries for 141 yards and three touchdowns to go along with 15 receptions for 167 yards and a touchdown in 12 games. During his absence, the Chiefs went on to win Super Bowl LIV, their first championship in 50 years.

In 2020, Williams finished with 39 carries for 169 yards and a touchdown to go along with 18 receptions for 116 yards. He earned the start for the Divisional Round against the Cleveland Browns due to an injury to Clyde Edwards-Helaire, rushing for 78 yards and catching four passes for 16 yards in the 22–17 victory. In the AFC Championship Game against the Buffalo Bills, Williams rushed for 52 yards and a touchdown during the 38–24 victory. During Super Bowl LV, he had 15 scrimmage yards in the 31–9 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.