MEMPHIS, Tenn — DeAngelo Williams adds to an already legendary career as a Memphis Tiger. Tuesday, he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in Las Vegas. He becomes the first Tigers player to join the hall.
Williams played for the Memphis Tigers from 2002 to 2005. While at Memphis, he reset the record books. He's the Tigers all-time rushing leader (6,026 yards), single season rushing leader (1,964 yards) and single game rushing leader.
Williams was a two-time All-American. He set an NCAA record with 34 games of 100-plus rushing yards. He helped Memphis break their 32-year drought without a bowl game by taking the Tigers to three bowl games, including a 2003 New Orleans Bowl win and a 2005 Music City Bowl win, where he was named Most Valuable Player.
The former Tigers runningback was a three-time Conference-USA First Team all conference performer. He is still the conference's all-time leader in rushing yards. He finished his career as the leader in rushing touchdowns (55), total touchdowns (60), carries (969), yards per carry (6.2), and 100-yard games (34). He was named to the 2002 C-USA All-Freshman Team.
The University of Memphis retired Williams jersey number (20) in 2006 and he was inducted to the M Club Hall of Fame in 2014. He went on to play professionally in the NFL, drafted to the Carolina Panthers in the first round, pick 27. He would twice lead the NFL in rushing touchdowns in 2008 and 2015.
Williams was named to the Pro Bowl in 2009 and was named a NFL Second Team All-Pro in 2008.