Auburn Football: Looking back at the Tigers career of Carnell Williams

One of the greatest running backs in Auburn Football program history, there is no denying the impact that Carnell Williams had on the Tigers success during his time on the Plains.

Known to fans as “Cadillac,” Williams is still to this day undoubtedly one of the most-electrifying players to ever put on an Auburn Football uniform.

Looking back at the Auburn Football career of Carnell Williams

A former five-star prospect from in-state Etowah High School, Williams originally came to Auburn as one of the nation’s top overall players in the Class of 2001.

A day-one player for the Tigers, Williams would make an impact as a freshman during the 2001 season rushing for 614 yards and six touchdowns, and would follow up that year by rushing for 745 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2002 as a sophomore.

Cemented as one of the SEC’s top running backs entering the 2003 season, Williams would see a significant jump in carries as a junior, which translated to arguably his greatest season on the Plains. Rushing for a total of 1,307 yards and 17 touchdowns on 241 carries, Williams would lead the SEC in touchdowns in 2003, as well as ranking second in the conference in rushing attempts and third in rushing yards.

While Williams’ 2003 season was a truly special one for the Auburn running back, “Cadillac” however is most likely remembered by his 2004 senior season where he helped lead the Tigers to an undefeated 13-0 and an SEC Championship.

Rushing for a total of 1,165 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2004, Williams would lead the SEC in multiple statistical categories such as rushing attempts (239), total touchdowns (13), and punt return yards (251). Also ranking second in the SEC in rushing yards, Williams would receive a few honors and accolades at seasons end that included Second Team All-American and First Team All-SEC.

For his Auburn career overall, Williams would rush for a combined 3,831 yards and 45 touchdowns on 741 carries across his four seasons from 2001-04. Williams currently ranks second all-time in Auburn program history in rushing yards behind only Bo Jackson, while also the Tigers all-time leader in both carries and touchdowns (also ranks No. 15 all-time in SEC in rushing yards and No. 7 in rushing touchdowns).

At the conclusion of his Auburn career, Williams would be selected with the No. 5 overall pick in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Winning the 2005 NFL Rookie of the Year with Tampa Bay, Williams would go-on to play for seven seasons in the NFL from 2005-11 with the Buccaneers and St. Louis Rams, rushing for a combined 4,038 yards and 21 touchdowns on 1,055 carries. Appearing in 81 career games, Williams would also catch a total of 148 passes for 1,002 yards and four touchdowns during that span.

Getting into coaching back in 2015, Williams has since been an assistant at multiple different schools such as Henderson State, West Georgia, and IMG Academy, as well as the Birmingham Iron of the AAF. The former Auburn great is currently back on the Plains where Williams has been the Tigers running backs coach since 2019.