According to the National Football Foundation records, David, at the end of his Illini career, was the second all-time receiver in NCAA history with 245 receptions and 3,195 yards. Mr. Williams was a two-time unanimous All-America selection in both 1984 and 1985, as he led the NCAA with 101 receptions and 1,278 receiving yards in 1984. The voters from the National Football Foundation inducted David Williams' collegiate records into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2005.

David, after college, spent two seasons in the NFL in 1986 and 1987. Then, Williams made the jump north to become a marquee player in the CFL, where he was named a five-time all-star and league MVP in 1988.