Kyren Williams, born on August 26, 2000, in St. Louis, Missouri, is an American professional football running back for the Los Angeles Rams in the NFL.
He played college football at Notre Dame and was drafted by the Rams in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
In his career, he has shown impressive performance, notably rushing for 1,144 yards and scoring 12 touchdowns in the 2023 season, contributing significantly to the Rams’ playoff aspirations.
Parents
Kyren is the son of Taryn and Larry Williams.
His mother, Taryn, has been a significant influence in his life, providing unwavering support throughout his football journey.
Taryn even crafted a recruiting pitch to help him pursue his NFL dreams. Larry, his father, played linebacker at Northern Illinois University, instilling athletic discipline in Kyren.
Together, they have fostered a strong family bond that has contributed to Kyren’s success in the NFL with the Los Angeles Rams.
College career
Williams played college football at Notre Dame from 2019 to 2021.
In his freshman year, he had a limited role, rushing for just 26 yards on 8 carries and catching one pass for 2 yards.
Despite these modest numbers, he showed potential that would be realized in the following seasons.
In 2020, Williams became the starting running back and had a breakout season.
He rushed for 1,125 yards on 211 carries, averaging 5.3 yards per carry, and scored 13 rushing touchdowns.
His impressive performance earned him Second-Team All-ACC honors and helped lead Notre Dame to the College Football Playoff.
Building on this success in 2021, Williams rushed for over 1,000 yards again, finishing the season with 1,002 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns.
He also showcased his versatility by contributing in the passing game, adding 354 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns.
By the end of his college career, Williams had accumulated a total of 2,828 rushing yards and 31 touchdowns, establishing himself as one of the top running backs in college football.
NFL career
After declaring for the NFL Draft following his junior year, Williams was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the fifth round (No. 164 overall) of the 2022 NFL Draft.
In his rookie season, he faced competition in the Rams’ backfield but managed to contribute effectively when given opportunities.
He played in several games, recording a total of 139 rushing yards and scoring a touchdown. His ability to catch passes out of the backfield also made him a valuable asset to the team.
In his second season in 2023, Williams emerged as a key player for the Rams.
He significantly increased his production, rushing for an impressive 1,144 yards and scoring 12 touchdowns.
His performance solidified his role as a featured back in the Rams’ offense, showcasing both his rushing ability and versatility as a receiver.
Williams is known for his vision and agility on the field, which allow him to find running lanes effectively.
His skills as a receiver make him a dual-threat back capable of contributing significantly in both the running and passing games.
