Kyren Williams
An undersized but fiercely determined running back who silenced his draft-day doubters by becoming a vital engine for the Rams' offense.
Born 2000 (age 26)·American football player·Birthday: August 26·Generation Z
Biography
Kyren Williams plays with a chip on his shoulder that fuels every hard-fought yard. A productive star at Notre Dame, known for his receiving skills and relentless effort, he nonetheless saw his stock fall in the 2022 NFL Draft due to concerns about his size and speed. The Los Angeles Rams finally called his name in the fifth round, a selection that looked like a steal within two years. Williams didn't just make the team; he seized the starting job through pure grit and a complete, three-down skill set. His ability to churn out tough interior runs, coupled with soft hands as a receiver out of the backfield, made him indispensable. Williams's story is a classic tale of proving evaluators wrong, transforming from a late-round question mark into the pounding heart of his team's ground game.
Generation Z
1997–2012
Born into smartphones, social media, and school shootings. The most diverse generation in history. Pragmatic about money, fluid about identity, anxious about the climate. They do not remember a world before the internet.
Kyren was born in 2000, placing them squarely in the Generation Z. The events that shaped this generation — social media, climate anxiety, and a pandemic — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Kyren Was Born
The biggest hits of 2000
#1 Movie
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Best Picture
Gladiator
#1 TV Show
Who Wants to Be a Millionaire
Kyren's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
2000Born
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2005Started school
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2013Became a teenager
Edward Snowden reveals NSA surveillance programs
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $152,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Thrift Shop" — Macklemore & Ryan LewisBest Picture: 12 Years a Slave
2016Could drive
Donald Trump elected president; Brexit vote
Gas: $2.14/galHome: $181,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Love Yourself" — Justin BieberBest Picture: Moonlight
2018Could vote
Royal wedding of Harry and Meghan; Parkland shooting
Gas: $2.72/galHome: $211,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"God's Plan" — DrakeBest Picture: Green Book
2021Turned 21
January 6 Capitol breach; COVID vaccines roll out globally
Gas: $3.01/galHome: $298,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Levitating" — Dua LipaBest Picture: CODA
2026Age 26 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Earned the starting running back role for the Los Angeles Rams and surpassed 1,000 rushing yards in his first full season as a starter.
- Selected to the PFWA All-Rookie Team in 2022 despite being a fifth-round draft pick.
- Became a key offensive weapon for a Rams team that won a Super Bowl in his rookie season (though he was injured for the playoff run).
Did You Know?
He was a highly decorated high school player in St. Louis, Missouri, winning the Gatorade Player of the Year award for the state.
At Notre Dame, he was known as much for his pass-blocking prowess as for his rushing ability.
He famously wore a tailored suit to the NFL Draft that featured photos of all 32 team logos, not knowing which one would select him.
“They said I was too slow, so I just outwork everyone on the field.”
