PFW: Scouting reports on the five highest-ranked defensive backs

Trae Williams is a guy I would not mind getting later in the draft. The kid has a nose for the football.



Shifting to defense for 2004, Williams took over for an injured Mike Jenkins at left cornerback, starting eight contests, including the final seven games. He totaled 22 tackles (14 solo) with five pass deflections and returned an interception 37 yards for a touchdown. He also averaged 21.9 yards on nine kickoff returns.



The coaching staff shifted Jenkins to right cornerback in order to put the two talented defensive backs on the field together in 2005. Williams started every game at left cornerback, except vs. West Virginia. He collected 39 tackles (23 solo) with three pass breakups and two interceptions. He also returned three kickoffs for 63 yards (21.0-yard average).



Williams was named the team's Defensive Player of the Year as a junior, adding All-Big East Conference first-team honors. He registered 49 tackles (32 solo) and tied the school season-record with seven interceptions, tying for fifth on the Big East Conference record chart. He also batted away nine passes, blocked a punt and averaged 13.3 yards on three kickoff returns.



Despite having a better season in 2007, Williams was selected to the All-Big East second-team. He had a career-high 55 tackles (47 solo), his first career sack and two stops for losses. He broke up 11 passes and intercepted six others, setting a school record and tying the Big East season mark by returning three of those thefts for touchdowns.



In 49 games at south Florida, Williams started 45 contests. He recorded 165 tackles (116 solo) with a one-yard sack and 2.5 stops for losses of five yards. He gained 219 yards with four touchdowns on 16 interception returns, adding a 13-yard return of a blocked punt and 300 yards on 16 kickoff returns (18.8-yard average). He deflected 28 passes and his total of 44 defended passes rank second in school annals.
 

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