Allen Park, Mich.-The Detroit Lions announced today that they have signed rookie WR Derrick Williams to a three-year deal. Additional terms of Williams' contract were not disclosed.
Williams was drafted by Detroit with their second selection in the third round (82nd overall) of the 2009 NFL Draft.
COLLEGE: Williams started 43-of-46 games during his career at Penn State, catching 161 passes for 1,743 yards (10.83 avg) and nine touchdowns. His 1,743 yards rank tenth in school history and his 161 grabs rank third, topped by teammate Deon Butler's 179 catches (2005-08) and Bobby Engram's 167 (1991-95).
The highly-skilled Williams further solidified his status as one of the nation's most versatile and dynamic playmakers. He was one of just three players in the Joe Paterno era to gain over 1,000 yards via kickoff returns in a career (1,095). He finished third in PSU annals with 161 receptions and fourth with 4,156 all-purpose yards. After hitting the "trifecta" as a sophomore and junior, scoring via receiving rushing and punt returns, Willams added a new scoring opportunity to that accomplishment by also returning two kickoffs for scores, to go along with his four touchdown grabs, three rushing scores and one punt return for a touchdown in 2008.
NOTES OF INTEREST
-Attended Eleanor Roosevelt (suburban Washington, D.C.) High School, playing football for head coach Rick Houchens.
-Consensus All-American and was named the Rivals.com and G&W Recruiting Report National -Player-of-the-Year. AII-USA Today selection.
-AII-Metro choice by the Washington Post.
-Parade Magazine honored him as an AIIAmerican all-purpose player. During his senior season of 2004, Williams was 56-of-91 for 972 yards and 13 touchdown passes, ran for 1,123 yards and 12 touchdowns and caught 11 passes for 203 yards and two more scores.
-Also accumulated 479 punt return yards and added another score.
-As a defensive back, he had four interceptions and 34 tackles. In his junior year, Williams rushed for 1,350 yards and 28 touchdowns and threw for 700 yards and five scores.
-Also recorded 46 tackles, 13 pass break-ups, three interceptions and three fumble recoveries in 2003, adding 760 return yards.
-Was a sprinter on the track and field squad.
-In 2004, he was the subject of a series of stories in the Washington Post on his senior season and recruitment.
-Recreation, Park and Tourism Management major.
-Older brother, Domonique, played running back and quarterback at North Carolina and finished his career at North Carolina A&T.
-Son of Brinda and Dwight Williams.
-Born Derrick Dwanye Williams on 7/06/86 in Washington, D.C.
