Darrent Williams

A preseason All-American in 2004, Darrent Williams has proven over the past three seasons he is one of the premier defensive backs, not only in the Big 12, but in the country. He has all the physical tools to play at this level and at the next. He’s a physical player who can run and make plays, and is also a threat to score when he winds up with the football in his possession. He ran a 4.28 forty last spring. As dangerous as he is from his left cornerback spot, he is equally dangerous as a kick returner. Although he did not meet the minimum numbers to be included in national statistics, Williams had 13 punt returns for a 17.9 yard average and four kickoff returns for a 20.8 yard average. OSU opponents could see much more of Williams in the return game this season.

2003: Darrent finished the season with 66 total tackles, four tackles for minus 17 yards, six interceptions for 130 yards in returns and 17 passes broken up. He was third in the country in passes defended and tied for 11th nationally and second in the Big 12 in interceptions. He was Oklahoma State’s seventh-leading tackler in 2003 and was recognized with first-team All-Big 12 honors by both the Associated Press and the league coaches. He was a Jim Thorpe Award semifinalist, but did not play against Kansas or Baylor due to injury. Darrent made five total tackles against Texas, and made four tackles and returned an interception for a touchdown for the fifth time in his career (11 yards) against Oklahoma. He left the OU game with a leg injury in the third quarter and did not return. Williams contributed six tackles with an interception and a pass breakup in the win over Texas A&M, and made five tackles and broke up five passes against Texas Tech. He made five tackles and had two interceptions, returning one for a 63-yard touchdown against Kansas State. That interception was his fourth return for a score in his career, a Big 12 record. He returned a school-record two punts for touchdowns (78, 59) and had 153 return yards against Louisiana-Lafayette. Darrent made two assisted tackles, intercepted a pass, and had a pass breakup against SMU, and also returned a punt for 13 yards against the Mustangs. He finished tied for the team lead with eight tackles and a pass breakup while also notching his first interception of the year against SMS, and also returned two punts for 50 yards against the Bears. He recorded three tackles and had four pass breakups in the win over Wyoming, and returned three punts for 13 yards and two kickoffs for 50 yards against the Cowboys. He made 11 tackles, including one for loss, against Nebraska, and also returned one kickoff for 28 yards and one punt for four yards.

2002: Williams started all 13 games at left corner, finishing with 53 tackles and leading the team with three interceptions and 16 pass breakups. He ended with eight solo tackles against Oklahoma with two tackles for loss and one pass breakup. He also made three tackles with a pass breakup against Baylor, and led the team with seven stops and one pass breakup against Kansas. Darrent finished with three tackles and a pass breakup against Texas A&M. He suffered an arm injury against the Aggies that limited his action in the second half. Darrent had eight tackles, seven primary, with a pass defended in the win over Nebraska, and had seven tackles with a pass breakup and forced a fumble against Texas. Darrent had two interceptions, returning one for 29 yards and a touchdown, against Northern Iowa. He had returned his first three career interceptions for scores until snapping that streak against the Panthers. He made four tackles and broke up two passes against Louisiana Tech.

2001: Darrent played in 10 of OSU’s 11 games and found himself in the starting lineup when the Cowboys hosted Texas. He would start four of OSU’s final six games and put up some impressive numbers. In OSU’s win at Baylor, Williams intercepted two passes and returned both for touchdowns. He was named the Big 12 Conference Defensive Player of the Week for his heroics. For the season, Williams had 33 total tackles and two pass deflections to go along with his two interceptions.

High School: Williams was listed by the Dallas Morning News on their area top-100 recruits. He was named all-district three times, and was the 7-4A Defensive Most Valuable Player as a senior. His senior season, he had five interceptions, with his longest return being for 54 yards. Speaking of returns, Williams excelled on special teams as well, averaging 30 yards per punt return and returning four for touchdowns. He also scored three other touchdowns in spot duty on the offensive side of the ball as a tailback. Williams was named an All-American by Track and Field News. He was also recruited by TCU and Louisiana Tech.

Personal: Born Sept. 27, 1982, Darrent is the son of Rosalind Williams. He has one brother, Brian James, and a sister, Jamie Fuller. Darrent is majoring in education at Oklahoma State.

Oklahoma State University Athletics

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