Tampa Bay Buccaneers RB Carnell “Cadillac” Williams has been one of the NFL’s sad stories throughout his short career.

The Auburn Tigers product was a breakout performer as a rookie for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, desperate for a spark in their running game.

Williams was selected number five overall of the 2005 NFL Draft, the third running back off the board in the top five, after teammate Auburn teammate, RB Ronnie Brown, went number two overall to the Miami Dolphins and a pick behind Texas RB, Cedric Benson who was selected number four overall by the Chicago Bears.

Since entering the league, Cadillac hasn’t had a lot of mileage on his tires however. Although he was the 2005 Rookie Of The Year, he suffered through some nicks and injuries along the way.

2006 was also a struggle for Williams as well, with problems to his offensive line and dealing with a nagging injury throughout the season. His 2007 was also miserable, after suffering a patellar tendon tear in a divisional matchup against the Carolina Panthers.

Destined to play in the 2008 season, Williams struggled to regain his health until midseason, only to have his season ended again during a December match up against the Oakland Raiders. He had torn the patellar tendon in his other, left knee.

Many had doubts, including myself, whether Williams would ever play another down in the NFL following his second patellar tendon tear in both knees in consecutive seasons.

Cadillac was out to prove the critics wrong, and had a nice 2009 season, rushing for 823 yards in 2009. He was a strong contender for the AP Comeback Player of the Year but was defeated by another strong performance from New England Patriots QB Tom Brady, who also was following up a devastating knee injury from the previous season.

Now, in an interview with USA Today’s Skip Wood, Carnell said he is finally back to 100 percent. Williams that his 2009 campaign “was just a start.”

Williams added, “I’m finally back to 100% and all that. And, you know, this is my first offseason in two years where I haven’t had to rehab just to get myself back on the field. I know I can show a lot more than what I already have. Straight up, I mean, I just feel my best years are ahead.”

I am definitely rooting for him to succeed. This is one of many players, I will most surely have on my radar this upcoming season.