Kerwynn Williams
refer to caption
Williams with the Arizona Cardinals in 2017
No. 37, 33
Position:Running back
Personal information
Born: (1991-06-09) June 9, 1991 (age 32)
Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
Height:5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Weight:198 lb (90 kg)
Career information
High school:Valley (Winchester, Nevada)
College:Utah State (2009–2012)
NFL Draft:2013 / Round: 7 / Pick: 230
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
  • First-team All-WAC (2012)
Career NFL statistics
Rushing yards:971
Rushing average:4.5
Rushing touchdowns:4
Receptions:15
Receiving yards:126
Receiving touchdowns:0
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Kerwynn Arthur Logan Williams (born June 9, 1991) is a former American football running back. He was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the seventh round of the 2013 NFL Draft. He played college football at Utah State.

High school career

Williams attended Valley High School in Las Vegas, Nevada.[1] He played wide receiver and running back as a junior before providing a serious triple threat element as a quarterback his senior season with the Vikings football team. He earned first-team All-state accolades as well as first-team All-region and first-team All-Northeast League honors, in addition to being selected as the school's MVP. As a senior, he had 188 rushes for 2,002 yards (10.7 ypc/182.0 ypg) with 31 touchdowns while throwing for 707 yards with three scores and adding 700 return yards. In his junior season, in 2007, he had 108 rushes for 549 yards with six touchdowns as well as 18 receptions for 388 yards with five touchdowns, and also had one punt return for a touchdown in each season. He rushed for over 4,000 yards in his career as well as passing for 830 yards with 48 total touchdowns and 1,150 return yards. In addition to being a student athlete, he excelled in the classroom as an International Baccalaureate student and being involved in various extracurriculars. He also excelled in track & field competing in relays.[citation needed]

College career

Williams attended Utah State University between 2009 and 2012.[2][3] He spent most of his first three seasons and as a reserve and backup running back. Following the departure of Robert Turbin, he became the starting running back for his senior season. He rushed for 1,512 yards on 218 carries (6.9 ypc) and 15 touchdowns, and caught 45 passes for 697 yards and five touchdowns, earning him first-team All-WAC honors.[4]

For his collegiate career, he accumulated 2,505 rushing yards on 380 carries (6.6 ypc) and 22 touchdowns, and caught 64 passes for 870 yards and five touchdowns.[5] He was an established kick returner early in his career, and Williams would finish his career accumulating 3,408 kick return yards, which ranks first all time in school history, as well as WAC history. He also recorded 6,928 all purpose yards in his career, breaking the old record of 6,659 set by Terance Mathis of New Mexico (1985-1989).[6][7] Williams graduated from Utah State in December 2012, with a bachelor's degree in marketing from the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business.[2]

Professional career

Indianapolis Colts

Williams was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the seventh round, 230th overall, in the 2013 NFL Draft.[8][9] He survived the final roster cuts, making the 53 man roster.[10] Williams was waived on September 1, 2013, to make room for tight end Jack Doyle.[11] On September 2, 2013, he was signed to the Colts' practice squad.[12] On September 14, 2013, Williams was promoted to the active roster after a season-ending injury to Vick Ballard. The next day, he made his NFL debut in the 24–20 loss to the Miami Dolphins. In the game, he handled one kick return for 28 yards.[13] On September 24, 2013, he was released by the Colts, but was re-signed to their practice squad on September 26, 2013.[14]

San Diego Chargers

On October 9, 2013, Williams was signed by the San Diego Chargers to their practice squad. The Chargers released Williams on August 25, 2014.[15]

Arizona Cardinals

Williams signed with the Arizona Cardinals practice squad on September 18, 2014.[16] On December 7, 2014, Williams rushed for his first career 100-yard game in a win against the Kansas City Chiefs.[17] On January 3, 2015, in the Wild Card Round against the Carolina Panthers, he had 23 rushing yards in the 27–16 defeat.[18] On September 5, 2015, he was released by the Cardinals.[19] On September 7, 2015, Williams was brought back to the team and was placed on the practice squad.[20] On September 19, 2015, he was promoted to the Cardinals' active roster.[21] On September 22, 2015, Williams was released by the Cardinals.[22] On September 23, 2015, he was re-signed to the Cardinals' practice squad.[23] On December 1, he was elevated to the active roster. On December 6, against the St. Louis Rams, he had 59 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown in the 27–3 victory.[24]

On September 3, 2016, Williams was released by the Cardinals.[25] On October 3, 2016, Williams re-signed with the Cardinals. He was re-signed to cover for injured running back Chris Johnson.[26] He was released by the team on October 6, 2016, and was re-signed on October 11. On December 18, he had 63 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown in the 48–41 loss to the New Orleans Saints.[27] In the regular season finale against the Los Angeles Rams, he had 60 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown.[28]

On September 10, 2017, in the season opening 35–23 loss to the Detroit Lions, Williams came into the game in relief of injured running back David Johnson. He had five carries for ten yards and a touchdown in the loss.[29] He saw limited time until the last five weeks of the season largely due to the injury of veteran running back Adrian Peterson. He recorded 120 carries for 426 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown on the season.[30]

Kansas City Chiefs

On April 15, 2018, Williams signed with the Kansas City Chiefs.[31] He was released on September 1, 2018.[32]

Detroit Lions

On January 3, 2019, Williams signed a reserve/future contract with the Detroit Lions.[33] He was waived on May 2, 2019.[34]

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

On May 6, 2019, Williams signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but was waived a week later.[35]

New Orleans Saints

Williams signed with the New Orleans Saints on August 8, 2019.[36] He was released during final roster cuts on August 30, 2019.[37]

NFL career statistics

Year Team Games Rushing Receiving Fumbles
GP GS Att Yds Avg Lng TD Rec Yds Avg Lng TD Fum Lost
2013 IND 1 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0
2014 ARI 5 0 53 246 4.6 19 0 2 11 5.5 6 0 1 0
2015 ARI 6 0 27 142 5.3 35 1 2 16 8.0 12 0 1 1
2016 ARI 10 0 18 157 8.7 49 2 1 6 6.0 6 0 0 0
2017 ARI 16 6 120 426 3.6 25 1 10 93 9.3 25 0 0 0
Total 38 6 218 971 4.5 49 4 15 126 8.4 25 0 2 1

References

  1. ^ Boivin, Paola (December 9, 2015). "Boivin: Cardinals RB Kerwynn Williams has ASU connection". AZCentral.com. Archived from the original on April 28, 2023. Retrieved February 28, 2018.
  2. ^ a b "Kerwynn Williams Profile". Utah State Aggies Official Athletic Site. Archived from the original on November 19, 2012. Retrieved November 19, 2012.
  3. ^ "Kerwynn Williams College Stats". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Archived from the original on March 1, 2018. Retrieved February 28, 2018.
  4. ^ "Kerwynn Williams 2012 Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Archived from the original on March 1, 2018. Retrieved February 28, 2018.
  5. ^ "Kerwynn Williams Career Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Archived from the original on March 1, 2018. Retrieved February 28, 2018.
  6. ^ "Utah State football: Kerwynn Williams set to cap his amazing Aggie career". Deseret News. Associated Press. November 22, 2012. Archived from the original on April 27, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  7. ^ "2012 WAC Football Wrap-Up". www.wacsports.com. Archived from the original on July 28, 2014.
  8. ^ Goon, Kyle (April 27, 2013). "NFL Draft: Utah State's Kerwynn Williams goes to Colts". The Salt Lake Tribune. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  9. ^ "2013 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on October 2, 2018. Retrieved February 28, 2018.
  10. ^ Stites, Adam (August 31, 2013). "Colts waive Drake Nevis, Ben Ijalana, 20 others". SBNation.com. Archived from the original on April 6, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  11. ^ Florio, Mike (September 1, 2013). "Colts make a flurry of moves". ProFootballTalk. Archived from the original on February 26, 2021. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  12. ^ "Colts waive Justice Cunningham". ProFootballTalk. September 2, 2013. Archived from the original on December 8, 2022. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  13. ^ "Miami Dolphins at Indianapolis Colts - September 15th, 2013". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on January 19, 2018. Retrieved February 28, 2018.
  14. ^ Wells, Brad (September 26, 2013). "Kerwynn Willams and Da'Rick Rogers are back to PS". Stampede Blue. Archived from the original on December 9, 2022. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  15. ^ Henne, Ricky (August 25, 2014). "Chargers Trim Roster; Waive 11 Players". Chargers.com. Archived from the original on December 8, 2014.
  16. ^ Judd, Brandon (September 18, 2014). "Former USU running back Kerwynn Williams signs to Arizona Cardinals practice squad". Deseret News. Archived from the original on April 28, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  17. ^ "Kansas City Chiefs at Arizona Cardinals - December 7th, 2014". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on January 25, 2018. Retrieved February 28, 2018.
  18. ^ "Wild Card - Arizona Cardinals at Carolina Panthers - January 3rd, 2015". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on January 31, 2018. Retrieved February 28, 2018.
  19. ^ Urban, Darren (September 5, 2015). "Cardinals Make Final Roster Cuts". AZCardinals.com. Archived from the original on November 7, 2017. Retrieved September 11, 2015.
  20. ^ Urban, Darren (September 7, 2015). "Practice Squad Set For Cardinals". AZCardinals.com. Archived from the original on March 1, 2018. Retrieved September 11, 2015.
  21. ^ Florio, Mike (September 19, 2015). "Cardinals call up Kerwynn Williams, cut Joseph Fauria". NBCSports.com. Archived from the original on October 5, 2015. Retrieved October 5, 2015.
  22. ^ Urban, Darren (September 22, 2015). "Kerwynn Williams cut as Massie returns". AZCardinals.com. Archived from the original on October 6, 2015. Retrieved October 5, 2015.
  23. ^ Odegard, Kyle (September 23, 2015). "Bobby Massie: "I Made The Wrong Decision"". AZCardinals.com. Archived from the original on March 1, 2018. Retrieved October 5, 2015.
  24. ^ "Arizona Cardinals at St. Louis Rams - December 6th, 2015". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on January 23, 2018. Retrieved February 28, 2018.
  25. ^ Urban, Darren (September 3, 2016). "Final Cuts Take Cardinals to 53". AZCardinals.com. Archived from the original on August 18, 2017.
  26. ^ "Cardinals re-sign Kerwynn Williams to cover for an injured Chris Johnson". Arizona Sports. October 3, 2016. Archived from the original on October 5, 2016. Retrieved October 4, 2016.
  27. ^ "New Orleans Saints at Arizona Cardinals - December 18th, 2016". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on March 10, 2020. Retrieved February 28, 2018.
  28. ^ "Arizona Cardinals at Los Angeles Rams - January 1st, 2017". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on October 15, 2017. Retrieved February 28, 2018.
  29. ^ "Arizona Cardinals at Detroit Lions - September 10th, 2017". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on September 13, 2017. Retrieved September 14, 2017.
  30. ^ "Kerwynn Williams 2017 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on March 1, 2018. Retrieved February 28, 2018.
  31. ^ Bergman, Jeremy (April 15, 2018). "Chiefs adding former Cardinals RB Kerwynn Williams". NFL.com. Archived from the original on April 28, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  32. ^ "Chiefs Roster Down to NFL-Mandated 53". Chiefs.com. September 1, 2018. Archived from the original on April 6, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  33. ^ Schlitt, Erik (January 3, 2019). "Lions sign P/K Ryan Santoso and RB Kerwynn Williams to futures contracts". Lions Wire. USA Today. Archived from the original on April 6, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  34. ^ "Lions sign free agent DT Darius Kilgo". DetroitLions.com. May 2, 2019. Archived from the original on April 6, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  35. ^ Alper, Josh (May 6, 2019). "Buccaneers signing Kerwynn Williams". Pro Football Talk. NBC Sports. Archived from the original on April 6, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  36. ^ Teope, Herbie (August 8, 2019). "On eve of preseason opener, Saints sign RB Kerwynn Williams, waive RB Matthew Dayes". NOLA.com. Archived from the original on April 5, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  37. ^ "New Orleans Saints make roster moves". NewOrleansSaints.com. August 30, 2019. Archived from the original on August 30, 2019. Retrieved August 30, 2019.

External links

Indianapolis Colts 2013 NFL Draft selections
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