The War Room: Carnell Williams, RB, Auburn
Running Back
Carnell Williams
College: Auburn
Year: Junior
Height: 5’11"
Weight: 200
Birthday: April 21, 1982
Strengths: Carnell “Cadillac” Williams rewrote the Alabama high school recordbook, eclipsing the marks of such notables as his fellow Auburn Tiger Bo Jackson. The elusive Williams soon left SEC defenders grasping at air as he quickly established himself as one of the most dangerous young running backs in college football.
Williams’ ability to cut on a dime and his vision give him the chance to turn an apparent negative play into a positive one, as few can match his talent for bouncing outside on a run designed to go up the middle when the defense has shut down the hole. While Williams is not a big back, he breaks many tackles because he does not give defenders a clean shot and then fights for every inch.
This Cadillac also comes equipped with an extra gas tank, as Williams has shown that he is capable of shouldering more than his share of the offensive load. Williams has twice recorded 40 or more carries in a game. Last year against Syracuse, he capped off a 40-carry, 202-yard rushing yard night by scoring the game-winning touchdown in the third overtime period.
Areas of Concern: This Cadillac has also spent a significant amount of time in the shop (that’s the last “Cadillac” pun, I promise). As a freshman, he missed two games – one with an ankle injury and then Auburn’s bowl game with a broken clavicle. Last year, Williams missed the final six games after he fractured his left fibula. He participated in spring practice but must continue to build his body, as he has done since he arrived at Auburn, if he is to take the beating that he will face at the NFL level.
How Would He Look in Steel Blue? Williams looks like a franchise running back in the making, if he can show that he can hold up to the rigors of the 16-week NFL season. He might give Dom Capers flashbacks of Tim Biakabutuka, the back with a similar running style that Capers’ Carolina Panthers drafted in the first round in 1996. Biakabutuka spent a great deal of his time in Carolina on the shelf with various injuries.
(profile written by Warren DeLuca)
Carnell Williams‘ 2002 Stats G CAR YDS AVG TD 7 175 1,008 5.8 13 Carnell Williams Return to The War Room
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