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Overview
Derrick Dwayne Williams is a wide receiver for the Detroit Lions, who selected him with the 82nd overall pick in the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft. Williams is a former wide receiver and kick returner at Penn State, where he played four seaosns and was a first team All-Big Ten selection. Williams is 5-feet, 11-inches tall and weighs 197 pounds.
Prep Career
Williams was the top-ranked overall prospect in the class of 2005 according to rivals.com. He played quarterback, running back and defensive back. As a senior, he threw for 972 yards and 13 touchdowns, ran for 1,123 yards and 12 touchdowns and caught 11 passes for 203 yards and two touchdowns. His recruitment was detailed by the Washington Post, and he chose Penn State over Texas, Florida and Oklahoma, among many others.
College Career
Williams was limited to seven games as a freshman, suffering a broken left arm against Michigan. He still was a Freshman All-Big Ten selection by the Sporting News, finishing third on the team with 22 receptions and 289 receiving yards. Over his final three college seasons, Williams played every game for Penn State, starting all but one of them. He finished his career third on Penn State's career receptions list (161) and 10th in career receiving yards (1,743). Williams returned two kickoffs and one punt for a touchdown in 2008, giving him five total career return TDs, a Joe Paterno-era record. He ranks No. 5 in Penn State career all-purpose yardage with 4,516 yards. As a senior against Illinois, Williams became the first player under Paterno to score a rushing touchdown, a receiving touchdown and a kick return touchdown (94 yards) in the same game.
NFL Career
Williams was selected in the third round (82nd overall) of the 2009 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions. Before the 2009 season, Williams signed a three-year contract with Detroit.
Personal
Williams's older brother, Domonique, played quarterback at the University of North Carolina before transferring to North Carolina A&T to finish his college career.
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