Damian Williams: NFL Draft Profile
Posted on 22. Mar, 2010 by Brandon LaClair in NFL Draft Player Profiles, Wide Receiver
We’ll take a look at University of Southern California wide receiver Damian Williams as he has decided to forgo his senior season and enter the 2010 NFL Draft. We’ll examine his strengths/weaknesses, college career and our expectations for an upcoming NFL career.
Strengths
- Attacks the football: One of the greatest assets a receiver can have is to go up and attack the ball at its highest point. While lacking physicality at times, Williams proved to be one of the best receivers in the nation because of his ability to beat the defender to the football
- Route Running: In a position where players tend to lack focus regarding early fundamentals of the game, Williams has exhibited the aptitude to consistently gain separation from defensive backs due to his precise route running ability
- Hand-eye coordination: Amongst other factors, the excellence of a wide receiver is determined by how often they make the tough reception. It’s a rare occurrence that Williams drops the football, which will inevitably make him one of the more attractive options at the receiver positions at the NFL Draft
- Versatility: Williams was Southern Cal’s best wide receiver and punt return specialist. With respect to his accomplishments in college, it’s unlikely that he will be an effective punt returner in the league because of a lack of top-end speed
Weaknesses
- Size: Williams needs to add some bulk to his frame (6-1, 190 lbs), but that will come as he matures with age. He will struggle with the bump-and-run along with the jam at the line of scrimmage until he obtains a more substantial physical presence
- Injury risk: Williams has endured a multitude of miniscule injuries over his college career including a shoulder that has been separated on two occasions. A potential suitor in the NFL will need to check into this thoroughly before drafting him
- Blocking: Whether he lacks the grit or doesn’t take the responsibility of blocking seriously, something in his technique needs to change. The ability of being an effective blocker is an underrated trait, but a necessary one as physical defensive backs will certainly take advantage of this glaring weakness in his game
(All statistical information obtained from ESPN.com and Wikipedia.com)
Out of high school, Williams committed to playing for the Razorbacks of Arkansas. In his freshman campaign, he caught 19 balls for 235 yards and two touchdowns. At the conclusion of the season, Williams concluded that the realization of him being able to showcase his talents would be limited as Arkansas was committed to a run-first scheme behind star running back Darren McFadden.
Williams then transferred to the bright lights of Southern California, but was forced to sit out in 2007 due to transfer guidelines.
Williams entered his 2008 season with lofty expectations and as great athletes do, he lived up to the belief in his ability. He finished his sophomore season with 58 receptions for 869 yards and nine touchdowns, averaging a notable 15 yards per catch. Williams demonstrated consistency in his game hauling in at least four catches in 8 out of 13 games. At the Rose Bowl, Williams gained national attention as he made 10 catches for 162 yards and a touchdown as USC went on to beat Penn State 38-24.
In his junior year, Williams proved that an NFL dream that collegiate athletes collectively strive for would be a reality for the USC standout as he caught 70 balls for 1,069 yards and six touchdowns. At the Emerald Bowl, Williams put the final stamp on his college career making 12 receptions for 189 yards.
Williams finished his career at Southern Cal with 147 receptions for 2,114 yards and 17 touchdowns.
Entering the league, it’s clear that Williams is an all-pro caliber talent after his stint at Southern Cal where they ran a pro style offense under head coach Pete Carroll. Recent history of draft failures out of Southern Cal suggests that potential suitors for Williams may want to look in another direction, but his potential will be too much for any team to pass on in the late second round, where Williams is expected to land.
Williams had a remarkable junior season considering he was catching balls from a true freshman in Matt Barkley. If Mark Sanchez had stayed for another year, Williams could easily be the best receiving prospect in this year’s draft.
A factor that cannot be overlooked is his flair for the big game. In the last two bowl games, Williams has superseded expectations as he has caught 22 balls for 351 yards and a touchdown. The ability to take his game to another level on the biggest of stages will have teams clamoring for his services as well.
We compare Williams to Steve Smith (Giants) with his quickness and ability to elude a defensive back on a consistent basis along with his great leaping ability to take the football at its highest point.
Damian Williams is one of our favorite prospects and we fully expect nothing but success from the USC product.
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