Sports
Rams Kyren Williams Enjoys First NFL Pro Bowl After Breakout Season
Second-year star running back says his breakout season in the NFL has been 'a dream come true'
ORLANDO, FL – There was ambiguity in the Los Angeles Rams backfield coming into the season with returning starter Cam Akers expected to lead the way and rookie Zach Evans who figured to see some action, but it was the 2022 fifth-round pick Kyren Williams who enjoyed the breakout year emerging as the team’s workhorse running back and a trip to his first-ever NFL Pro Bowl appearance.
Williams earned a prominent role on the roster by putting together a strong offseason campaign and took advantage of early opportunities in the season to quickly become the Rams lead running back.
“I just knew I needed a chance I knew the player that I am that if I had a chance to take off with it and run with it,” Williams suggested after the NFC’s practice at Camping World Stadium in an interview with Patch.com. “It’s been a dream come true. This is something I’ve envisioned myself doing my whole life playing in the NFL and it’s where I feel most happy.”
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The second year running back out of Notre Dame churned out 1,144 rushing yards on the season good for third place on the rushing leaders list finishing behind Christian McCaffrey and Derrick Henry. He added 15 total touchdowns despite playing in only 12 games.
“It’s a blessing,” Williams said. “I’m just taking it all in absorbing and soaking it in. Three years ago, I was watching these guys on TV hoping that one day I could be just like them so now that I’m actually here with these guys it’s very humbling.”
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Williams finished the year strong and had some of his best games at the end of the season as he helped lead the Rams return to the playoffs. He had a stretch in that period where he rushed for over 100 yards in five of six games.
“There’s still more work to be done,” he added. “But this is just the first step of the journey.”
In the Rams first round playoff loss to the Detroit Lions, he broke his hand and had surgery three weeks ago. He said that everything is healing up well and is looking forward to next season.
