10 Years After Leaving Auburn, Cadillac Williams Gets His Diploma
It’s been a decade since Carnell Williams last suited up for Auburn Tigers, but the former NFLer can now say that he is a college graduate.
The man nicknamed “Cadillac’’ got his diploma from Auburn University on Saturday, earning a degree in sociology after completing his studies in the summer and fall. Williams left school in the spring of his senior year to prepare for the 2005 NFL Draft.
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Williams currently sits in second all-time on the Auburn rushing list, his 3,831 yards trailing only Bo Jackson’s 4,313 for most in program history. He averaged 5.2 yards per carry with a school-record 45 rushing touchdowns over his 44 games with the Tigers.
Williams led the SEC in rushing touchdowns in 2003 and 2004. He helped Auburn to a 13-0 record his senior year in 2004, while he and future NFLers Ronnie Brown and Jason Campbell led the Tigers to a 16-13 win over Virginia Tech in the Sugar Bowl.
Williams was drafted with the No. 5 overall pick in 2005 by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, three spots after his Auburn teammate Brown was taken by the Miami Dolphins. He rushed for 1,178 yards his rookie season and 798 the following year, but injuries limited him to just 10 games from 2007-08.
He came back to rush for 823 yards with the Bucs in 2009, playing one more season after that with Tampa Bay before his NFL career ended with a year in St. Louis. Williams ended his pro career with 4,038 yards and 21 touchdowns over seven NFL seasons.
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