Darious Williams

Darious Williams's Biography

Darious Williams is an accomplished American professional football cornerback who has spent a significant part of his career playing for the Los Angeles Rams in the National Football League (NFL). Born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida, on March 15, 1993, Williams’ journey to becoming a football cornerstone began when he attended Bartram Trail High School, subsequently transferring to Creekside High School after his freshman year.

Williams’ exceptional sporting prowess was evident from an early age as he participated in various sports including basketball, football, and track events at Creekside. Following high school, he went on to play one season at the NCAA Division III Marietta College in Ohio. However, due to family issues, he decided to leave after the season. This setback didn’t break Williams’ determination; instead, it prompted a switch towards studying at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) during the spring semester.

Williams initially faced rejection when trying to join the football team as a walk-on at UAB. Still undeterred, he went on to make the team as a walk-on in 2014 under new head coach Bill Clark. Midway through the season, he was given a scholarship due to his exceptional performance. Following UAB’s decision to drop football after the season, Williams put his undying love for the sport to the test, working as a flower delivery man whilst attending Florida State College at Jacksonville, refusing several offers to transfer in anticipation of the programs return.

Over two seasons with the Blazers, Williams played in 25 games (18 starts) and made significant strides in his career, recording 73 tackles, 26 passes defenced and 6 interceptions (two returned for a touchdown). His outstanding performance led to him being named as first-team All-Conference USA and a first-team All-American by Pro Football Focus for the 2017 season, where he led the conference with 15 passes broken up and made 50 tackles and five interceptions.

Williams’ distinct talent was evident, yet he went undrafted in the 2018 NFL Draft before finally signing a three-year, $1.71 million contract with the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent. Throughout training camp, he fought for a roster spot as a backup cornerback against Stanley Jean-Baptiste and Bennett Jackson. Although starting his rookie season as the seventh backup cornerback, he worked hard to move up the ladder.

In 2018, Williams made his NFL debut against the Cincinnati Bengals, playing on special teams. But after their top player, Jimmy Smith returned from suspension, Williams was waived by the Ravens. The Los Angeles Rams claimed him off waivers shortly after. He made his first NFL touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons in 2019, leading to his first start as a cornerback.

Williams grew in stature as a cornerback through the 2019 season, playing in 14 games, starting three and finishing the year with 15 tackles, four passes defended, two interceptions and a fumble recovery for a touchdown. In the 2020 season, he had several decisive plays with respect to interceptions and completed the season with a victory over the Philadelphia Eagles.

In 2021, the Rams placed a first-round restricted free agent tender on Williams. Despite suffering an ankle injury, he recovered in time to help the Rams win Super Bowl LVI against the Cincinnati Bengals, where he recorded eight tackles.

In 2022, he signed a three-year, $30 million contract, returning to his hometown by joining the Jacksonville Jaguars. He had key contributions to the team, including an interception against the Buffalo Bills. Nevertheless, he was released from his contract by the Jaguars in 2024. Upon his release, he decided to return to his previous team, the Los Angeles Rams, despite suffering a hamstring injury.

In conclusion, Darious Williams has shown tenacity and an indomitable spirit throughout his career. His journey from a walk-on player to a professional NFL player serves as an inspiring tale for many. The road taken has been challenging, yet his unwavering dedication and prowess have catapulted him into a professional career filled with noteworthy accomplishments.