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Who really is Jason Williams?
Who really is Jason Williams? His bio, stats, pod casts and my thoughts;
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 241
College: Western Illinois
Conference: Gateway
Hometown: Chicago, IL
High School: DuSable
Jason Williams was born in Chicago, Illinois on April 23, 1986. Jason’s parents are Connell (deceased) and Karen Williams. While at high school DuSable (Chicago, Ill.) High School, where he was recognized more for his rushing and passing exploits than that as a linebacker. Jason led his team to an undefeated mark in the Chicago Public League's Intra-City Central Conference as a senior and was a two-time All-City and All-Section pick. Rushed for 2,988 yards, threw for 3,015 and tallied 71 total touchdowns (35 rushing and 36 passing), with status of a two time all city and all section performer.
Overview
As a sophomore, Jason tied for 10th in the country with three forced fumbles and ranked second in the Gateway Conference with 10.5 stops for loss. In 2007, he placed fourth in the Football Championship Subdivision with five forced fumbles, tying the school and league record. His 16.5 tackles behind the line of scrimmage led the team and conference. He would capture the forced fumble title in the FCS with six in 2008, as he also finished second in the league with 17.0 stops for loss.
One of the most underrated players in the 2009 NFL Draft, Williams was a terror in opposing backfields since shifting to weak-side linebacker from strong safety as a sophomore. In each of his last three seasons, he ranked among the nation's leaders in forced fumbles and tackles behind the line of scrimmage, each year of his stats are listed below. .
2004 (Freshman season): Red shirted
Williams enrolled as a 200-pound athlete at Western Illinois in 2004, red shirting that season as a scout team strong safety.
2005 (Redshirt-Freshman season): Started the final two games of the season at strong safety. Appeared in 10 games, missing only the Iowa Wesleyan contest, while totaling 23 tackles, including 14 solo stops. Jason recorded a tackle for loss (-5 yards) in the season opener at Toledo and blocked a kick at Stephen F. Austin. In 2005, he appeared in 10 games, seeing limited action early in the year while being listed third on the depth chart at strong safety. His special teams play helped earn him a starting position for the team's final two games, as he posted 23 tackles (14 solos) with a stop for a loss and one blocked kick.
2006 (Sophomore season): Williams continued to excel on special teams in 2006. The All-Gateway Conference honorable mention shifted to weak-side linebacker. He was the only defender to start all 11 games for WIU. He was the recipient of the team's Green Beret Award for his significant contributions to the kicking game. He ranked second on the team with 92 tackles (41 solo), including three sacks and 10.5 stops for loss and caused 3 fumbles.
Was the only linebacker to start all 11 games while earning honorable mention all-Gateway honors. Jason ranked eighth in the league in tackles, averaging 8.4 per game. Jason had more tackles than any sophomore in the league (92) and also had three sacks ( for a total of -29 yards). Williams ranked seventh in the conference with 10.5 tackles for loss (-47 yards), while forcing three fumbles, including two at Missouri State. Jason had a career-high 15 tackles against Illinois State and intercepted a pass and forced a fumble in the season opener. Jason tallied two pass breakups and two quarterback hurries, while recording four games with at least 11 tackles and earning the team’s Green Beret award for his significant contributions to the kicking game.
2007 (Junior season): Williams was fourth nationally with a school single-season record tying five forced fumbles in 2007. The All-American and All-Gateway Conference first-team choice finished second in the voting for league Defensive Player of the Year honors. He led the Leathernecks with 107 tackles (42 solo) and eight sacks. His 16.5 stops behind the line of scrimmage led the conference, as he also recovered two fumbles. Named to the AFCA All-America Team, the Associated Press All-America Second Team and the Sports Network All-America Second Team. A first-team all-Gateway honoree and runner-up for Gateway Defensive Player of the Year Award. Jason led the Gateway in three defensive categories with sacks (8), tackles for loss (16.5) and forced fumbles (5), and ranked third in tackles (107). Jason ranked among the nation’s top 50 defensive players in tackles for loss, total tackles and sacks. His five forced fumbles ranked fifth nationally and tied a school record while helping anchor a defensive unit that ranked among the top-25 nationally in five categories, scoring defense (18th), total defense (21st), pass defense (22nd), sacks (23rd) and pass efficiency defense (25th). Jason Williams was named the team’s defensive MVP at the annual awards banquet.
2008 (Senior season): As a senior, Williams was named a consensus All-American and unanimous All-Gateway Conference first-team selection. He finished fourth in the voting for the Buck Buchanan Award, given to the top defensive player in the FCS ranks. He started every game at weak-side linebacker, leading the nation with a school season-record six forced fumbles, the second-best total by a Gateway player. He finished second in the league with a team-high 17.0 stops for loss and had four sacks among his 67 tackles (39 solos).
Named to Lindy’s Preseason All-America First Team and the Consensus Draft Services All-America Second Team. Jason Williams was one of three linebackers named to the Sporting News Preseason FCS All-America Team. Jason Williams was also named to Phil Steele's Preseason All-America First Team. Jason led the country with a school-record six forced fumbles (0.55/game) and set a new FCS record and tied the NCAA all-division record of 14 career forced fumbles. Jason ranked second in the league and 32nd nationally with 14.5 tackles for loss (1.32/game). Jason had a TFL in all games but the season finale, ending his streak at 13, but he had two sacks and two forced fumbles in a four-point loss at Arkansas, earning him league and national player of the week. Also, Jason had four quarterback hurries and six pass breakups totaling 67 tackles, including 39 solo and 6.1 per game. Jason ended the season as the nation's active career leader in forced fumbles, which was a repeat first-team all-conference selection. Jason finished fourth in the Buck Buchanan Award voting and was named to the Associated Press All-America First Team, the Sports Network All-America First Team and the College Sporting News All-America Team. Jason Williams was the first player in school history to earn repeat AFCA All-America honors and appeared in the East-West Shrine Game, while being named Western Illinois' Defensive MVP.
Williams' 14 forced fumbles set the NCAA FSC career-record and is tied with Adam McGurk of Division II Adams State (2002-05), Kenechi Udeze of Southern California (2001-03), Terrell Suggs of Arizona State (2000-02) and Antwan Peek of Cincinnati (2000-02) for the overall collegiate record. His 42.5 stops behind the line of scrimmage rank seventh in school history, fourth in Gateway Conference annals and 21st in the NCAA FCS ranks.
Below are some you-tube and other videos to watch this sleeper player.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQW9MXK1hXc
jason williams video above
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lxe2SG7iNaY&feature=related
jason williams first pick in 2009 draft
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QISBLGtIjIg&feature=related
Williams Media
Play At: "javascript
penOnDemandViewer('370018', '375918')" Defensive Player of the Year presentation
Play At: "javascriptpenOnDemandViewer('146413', '151078')" Western Illinois - Northern Iowa Postgame Press Conference
Play At: "javascriptpenOnDemandViewer('140826', '145492')" Jason Williams - 2008 Buck Buchanan Award Candidate
Play At: "javascriptpenOnDemandViewer('78310', '83282')" Western Sports Network Podcast : Football
Twelve former western Illinois players worked out for 14 NFL scouts at the pro day in Western Hall leading up to the 2009 draft. Linebacker Jason Williams posted the day’s best results in both the 40 and the vertical jump. His time of 4.49 seconds was .07 seconds faster than the quickest linebacker invited to last month’s NFL combine, and would have placed second among all cornerbacks and third among the safeties. His vertical jump of 39 inches was two inches better than any of the combine’s linebackers. Williams put up 26 repetitions in the bench press.
Donaldson and Williams were the Leathernecks receiving the most attention from scouts leading up to the April 25-26 NFL Draft. Both of them received short individual workouts on Hanson Field at the conclusion indoor drills.
“From a coaches’ standpoint, I was very proud of how our draft-eligible players represented their team,” said Western Illinois head coach Don Patterson. “They have prepared long and hard for this and I am really proud of how they performed as a group. Herb really helped himself today. He showed that he could catch the ball really well outside. And Jason proved to the scouts why he was the best all-around athlete on our team.”
The Leathernecks have a storied tradition of sending players to the NFL, as six former Leathernecks are currently in the professional ranks and six of the last eight Super Bowl champions have included Western Illinois alumni. There wasn't much NFL love for the Missouri Valley Conference in February. Not a single player from the league's nine schools was invited to the scouting combine. But the NFL is starting to warm up to the Valley now. In particular, the NFL is warming up to Western Illinois linebacker Jason Williams. Williams had the credentials for an invite. A two-time conference Defensive Player of the Year, Williams forced a school-record six fumbles in 2008 and an NCAA-record-tying 14 in his career. He finished fourth in the voting for the 2008 Buchanan Award as the best player at the FCS level. But the NFL did not consider him one of the top 330 prospects in the 2009 draft, so he was not invited to Indianapolis for the combine.
A slew of NFL teams did show up for his pro day, though, and Williams showed them he belonged in Indy. He measured 6-1, 238 pounds, clocked a 4.49 in his 40-yard dash, benched 225 pounds 26 times and skied 39 inches in his vertical jump and a 10-foot-9 inch broad jump. That showed the NFL he has the speed, strength and athleticism to compete at the level. It also sent him zooming up a thin linebacker board. In comparison the top-rated outside linebacker in the draft was Aaron Curry (6-1 1/2, 254) ran a 4.52, benched 25 and verticaled 37.
Nervous was not the word to describe Western Illinois’ Jason Williams in the days and weeks leading up to the NFL Draft. The linebacker really hasn’t had time to be nervous.
Over the course of the last two months Williams’ stock climbed with each workout.
“The thing I appreciate is there is not too much mystery that Jason is going to be drafted,” Western coach Don Patterson said. “The only questions are when and by whom.” For Williams, it didn’t matter.
“I wouldn’t say I was nervous,” Williams said, “because when you get nervous you get tight and when you get tight you don’t move well.” From there, Williams started his interview tour of 11 NFL cities for interviews and individual workouts all the while working on his class assignments.
He returned to campus that week and the waiting process leading up to the draft started. It likely will be the last quiet week for a few months. “At this point I’m more anxious than nervous because I want to find out where the next chapter of my life will take me,” Williams said. “Once the draft happens everything picks right back up. The following weekend is rookie mini-camp and after that it’s graduation.
“Everybody knows that the draft doesn’t guarantee you a spot. You still have to make it coming out of camp.” What transpired those two past months leading up to the draft was almost incomprehensible considering Williams came to Western as a running back.
“I’ve always been a strong believer that everything happens for a reason,” Williams said. “I came here for a reason and I became a linebacker for a reason. Everything has paid off.” This shows fortitude, resolve and a very good spirit with determination.
Most mock drafts had Williams, rated the ninth-best outside linebacker available, being taken in the third round. A handful of draft Web sites list Williams as the first player not invited to the annual scouting combine to be drafted. Not being invited to Indianapolis has been the only setback in the process.
“Initially it was pretty disappointing because of my effort at the East-West Shrine game and during the season to garner the invite,” Williams said. “I felt that I did everything I could possibly do to prove that I should have been there. After it sunk in that I wasn’t going I just had to do that much better at my pro days.”
At Western’s Pro Day sporting a “Numbers Don’t Lie” T-shirt, Williams started to prove the scouts wrong. Williams ran the 40-yard dash in 4.49 seconds, faster than any of the linebackers at the camp. The DuSable graduate started getting traction when he performed well at the East-West Shrine Game and then turned heads at his pro day March 4 when he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.46 seconds with 14 teams in attendance. That was on a basketball-court surface though and there were some questions for a guy who is 6-1, 241 pounds. Some didn't believe he was that fast. Try faster. Some doubts came into that since it was ran on the Western Hall hard court, but Williams bettered the time when he attended Northwestern’s Pro Day in mid-March. This time, on a slow FieldTurf surface, he clocked in between 4.42 and 4.48 seconds according to scouts we polled at the event.
Yes, you read right, Jason ran the 40 in 4.42 and 4.48. The interest only grew. Josh Buchanan, of NFLDraftBible.com reported that the Dallas Cowboys would meet with Jason X Williams in mid-April, which we as Cowboys fans learned, while Green Bay had Williams in for a visit too.
Now, a guy who was not invited to the combine could come off the board as early as the third round. What is boosting him is teams that run 4-3 and 3-4 schemes are interested. He's got instincts, tackles well in space and is smart. Someone spotted Bucs linebackers coach Joe Barry at Northwestern where 17 teams were represented with some scouts saying they were there for the sole purpose of watching Williams. Philadelphia also was there showing interest as NFL.com reported that Eagles linebackers coach Bill Shuey was in Evanston. When more than one-third of the league is checking you out, something good is bound to happen.
As you all know, I had Jason Williams in my mock draft, along with 11 to 14 players to be selected in the 2009 draft. Several fans on www.cowboyszone.com said no way would the Cowboys select above 8 or so players. Well, I was right, I know my football and my Dallas Cowboys stuff. All you had to do was listen to what Stephen Jones said in regards to the draft. So, enjoy the write up I did on Jason Williams. Let me know what you think.
As you all know, Jason Williams was selected in the 3rd round, 69th overall with the Cleveland pick.
Round 3...#69...(from Browns)... Jason Williams LB Western Illinois
Who really is Jason Williams? His bio, stats, pod casts and my thoughts;
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 241
College: Western Illinois
Conference: Gateway
Hometown: Chicago, IL
High School: DuSable
Jason Williams was born in Chicago, Illinois on April 23, 1986. Jason’s parents are Connell (deceased) and Karen Williams. While at high school DuSable (Chicago, Ill.) High School, where he was recognized more for his rushing and passing exploits than that as a linebacker. Jason led his team to an undefeated mark in the Chicago Public League's Intra-City Central Conference as a senior and was a two-time All-City and All-Section pick. Rushed for 2,988 yards, threw for 3,015 and tallied 71 total touchdowns (35 rushing and 36 passing), with status of a two time all city and all section performer.
Overview
As a sophomore, Jason tied for 10th in the country with three forced fumbles and ranked second in the Gateway Conference with 10.5 stops for loss. In 2007, he placed fourth in the Football Championship Subdivision with five forced fumbles, tying the school and league record. His 16.5 tackles behind the line of scrimmage led the team and conference. He would capture the forced fumble title in the FCS with six in 2008, as he also finished second in the league with 17.0 stops for loss.
One of the most underrated players in the 2009 NFL Draft, Williams was a terror in opposing backfields since shifting to weak-side linebacker from strong safety as a sophomore. In each of his last three seasons, he ranked among the nation's leaders in forced fumbles and tackles behind the line of scrimmage, each year of his stats are listed below. .
2004 (Freshman season): Red shirted
Williams enrolled as a 200-pound athlete at Western Illinois in 2004, red shirting that season as a scout team strong safety.
2005 (Redshirt-Freshman season): Started the final two games of the season at strong safety. Appeared in 10 games, missing only the Iowa Wesleyan contest, while totaling 23 tackles, including 14 solo stops. Jason recorded a tackle for loss (-5 yards) in the season opener at Toledo and blocked a kick at Stephen F. Austin. In 2005, he appeared in 10 games, seeing limited action early in the year while being listed third on the depth chart at strong safety. His special teams play helped earn him a starting position for the team's final two games, as he posted 23 tackles (14 solos) with a stop for a loss and one blocked kick.
2006 (Sophomore season): Williams continued to excel on special teams in 2006. The All-Gateway Conference honorable mention shifted to weak-side linebacker. He was the only defender to start all 11 games for WIU. He was the recipient of the team's Green Beret Award for his significant contributions to the kicking game. He ranked second on the team with 92 tackles (41 solo), including three sacks and 10.5 stops for loss and caused 3 fumbles.
Was the only linebacker to start all 11 games while earning honorable mention all-Gateway honors. Jason ranked eighth in the league in tackles, averaging 8.4 per game. Jason had more tackles than any sophomore in the league (92) and also had three sacks ( for a total of -29 yards). Williams ranked seventh in the conference with 10.5 tackles for loss (-47 yards), while forcing three fumbles, including two at Missouri State. Jason had a career-high 15 tackles against Illinois State and intercepted a pass and forced a fumble in the season opener. Jason tallied two pass breakups and two quarterback hurries, while recording four games with at least 11 tackles and earning the team’s Green Beret award for his significant contributions to the kicking game.
2007 (Junior season): Williams was fourth nationally with a school single-season record tying five forced fumbles in 2007. The All-American and All-Gateway Conference first-team choice finished second in the voting for league Defensive Player of the Year honors. He led the Leathernecks with 107 tackles (42 solo) and eight sacks. His 16.5 stops behind the line of scrimmage led the conference, as he also recovered two fumbles. Named to the AFCA All-America Team, the Associated Press All-America Second Team and the Sports Network All-America Second Team. A first-team all-Gateway honoree and runner-up for Gateway Defensive Player of the Year Award. Jason led the Gateway in three defensive categories with sacks (8), tackles for loss (16.5) and forced fumbles (5), and ranked third in tackles (107). Jason ranked among the nation’s top 50 defensive players in tackles for loss, total tackles and sacks. His five forced fumbles ranked fifth nationally and tied a school record while helping anchor a defensive unit that ranked among the top-25 nationally in five categories, scoring defense (18th), total defense (21st), pass defense (22nd), sacks (23rd) and pass efficiency defense (25th). Jason Williams was named the team’s defensive MVP at the annual awards banquet.
2008 (Senior season): As a senior, Williams was named a consensus All-American and unanimous All-Gateway Conference first-team selection. He finished fourth in the voting for the Buck Buchanan Award, given to the top defensive player in the FCS ranks. He started every game at weak-side linebacker, leading the nation with a school season-record six forced fumbles, the second-best total by a Gateway player. He finished second in the league with a team-high 17.0 stops for loss and had four sacks among his 67 tackles (39 solos).
Named to Lindy’s Preseason All-America First Team and the Consensus Draft Services All-America Second Team. Jason Williams was one of three linebackers named to the Sporting News Preseason FCS All-America Team. Jason Williams was also named to Phil Steele's Preseason All-America First Team. Jason led the country with a school-record six forced fumbles (0.55/game) and set a new FCS record and tied the NCAA all-division record of 14 career forced fumbles. Jason ranked second in the league and 32nd nationally with 14.5 tackles for loss (1.32/game). Jason had a TFL in all games but the season finale, ending his streak at 13, but he had two sacks and two forced fumbles in a four-point loss at Arkansas, earning him league and national player of the week. Also, Jason had four quarterback hurries and six pass breakups totaling 67 tackles, including 39 solo and 6.1 per game. Jason ended the season as the nation's active career leader in forced fumbles, which was a repeat first-team all-conference selection. Jason finished fourth in the Buck Buchanan Award voting and was named to the Associated Press All-America First Team, the Sports Network All-America First Team and the College Sporting News All-America Team. Jason Williams was the first player in school history to earn repeat AFCA All-America honors and appeared in the East-West Shrine Game, while being named Western Illinois' Defensive MVP.
Williams' 14 forced fumbles set the NCAA FSC career-record and is tied with Adam McGurk of Division II Adams State (2002-05), Kenechi Udeze of Southern California (2001-03), Terrell Suggs of Arizona State (2000-02) and Antwan Peek of Cincinnati (2000-02) for the overall collegiate record. His 42.5 stops behind the line of scrimmage rank seventh in school history, fourth in Gateway Conference annals and 21st in the NCAA FCS ranks.
Below are some you-tube and other videos to watch this sleeper player.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQW9MXK1hXc
jason williams video above
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lxe2SG7iNaY&feature=related
jason williams first pick in 2009 draft
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QISBLGtIjIg&feature=related
Williams Media
Play At: "javascript
penOnDemandViewer('370018', '375918')" Defensive Player of the Year presentation Play At: "javascript
penOnDemandViewer('146413', '151078')" Western Illinois - Northern Iowa Postgame Press Conference Play At: "javascript
penOnDemandViewer('140826', '145492')" Jason Williams - 2008 Buck Buchanan Award Candidate Play At: "javascript
penOnDemandViewer('78310', '83282')" Western Sports Network Podcast : Football Twelve former western Illinois players worked out for 14 NFL scouts at the pro day in Western Hall leading up to the 2009 draft. Linebacker Jason Williams posted the day’s best results in both the 40 and the vertical jump. His time of 4.49 seconds was .07 seconds faster than the quickest linebacker invited to last month’s NFL combine, and would have placed second among all cornerbacks and third among the safeties. His vertical jump of 39 inches was two inches better than any of the combine’s linebackers. Williams put up 26 repetitions in the bench press.
Donaldson and Williams were the Leathernecks receiving the most attention from scouts leading up to the April 25-26 NFL Draft. Both of them received short individual workouts on Hanson Field at the conclusion indoor drills.
“From a coaches’ standpoint, I was very proud of how our draft-eligible players represented their team,” said Western Illinois head coach Don Patterson. “They have prepared long and hard for this and I am really proud of how they performed as a group. Herb really helped himself today. He showed that he could catch the ball really well outside. And Jason proved to the scouts why he was the best all-around athlete on our team.”
The Leathernecks have a storied tradition of sending players to the NFL, as six former Leathernecks are currently in the professional ranks and six of the last eight Super Bowl champions have included Western Illinois alumni. There wasn't much NFL love for the Missouri Valley Conference in February. Not a single player from the league's nine schools was invited to the scouting combine. But the NFL is starting to warm up to the Valley now. In particular, the NFL is warming up to Western Illinois linebacker Jason Williams. Williams had the credentials for an invite. A two-time conference Defensive Player of the Year, Williams forced a school-record six fumbles in 2008 and an NCAA-record-tying 14 in his career. He finished fourth in the voting for the 2008 Buchanan Award as the best player at the FCS level. But the NFL did not consider him one of the top 330 prospects in the 2009 draft, so he was not invited to Indianapolis for the combine.
A slew of NFL teams did show up for his pro day, though, and Williams showed them he belonged in Indy. He measured 6-1, 238 pounds, clocked a 4.49 in his 40-yard dash, benched 225 pounds 26 times and skied 39 inches in his vertical jump and a 10-foot-9 inch broad jump. That showed the NFL he has the speed, strength and athleticism to compete at the level. It also sent him zooming up a thin linebacker board. In comparison the top-rated outside linebacker in the draft was Aaron Curry (6-1 1/2, 254) ran a 4.52, benched 25 and verticaled 37.
Nervous was not the word to describe Western Illinois’ Jason Williams in the days and weeks leading up to the NFL Draft. The linebacker really hasn’t had time to be nervous.
Over the course of the last two months Williams’ stock climbed with each workout.
“The thing I appreciate is there is not too much mystery that Jason is going to be drafted,” Western coach Don Patterson said. “The only questions are when and by whom.” For Williams, it didn’t matter.
“I wouldn’t say I was nervous,” Williams said, “because when you get nervous you get tight and when you get tight you don’t move well.” From there, Williams started his interview tour of 11 NFL cities for interviews and individual workouts all the while working on his class assignments.
He returned to campus that week and the waiting process leading up to the draft started. It likely will be the last quiet week for a few months. “At this point I’m more anxious than nervous because I want to find out where the next chapter of my life will take me,” Williams said. “Once the draft happens everything picks right back up. The following weekend is rookie mini-camp and after that it’s graduation.
“Everybody knows that the draft doesn’t guarantee you a spot. You still have to make it coming out of camp.” What transpired those two past months leading up to the draft was almost incomprehensible considering Williams came to Western as a running back.
“I’ve always been a strong believer that everything happens for a reason,” Williams said. “I came here for a reason and I became a linebacker for a reason. Everything has paid off.” This shows fortitude, resolve and a very good spirit with determination.
Most mock drafts had Williams, rated the ninth-best outside linebacker available, being taken in the third round. A handful of draft Web sites list Williams as the first player not invited to the annual scouting combine to be drafted. Not being invited to Indianapolis has been the only setback in the process.
“Initially it was pretty disappointing because of my effort at the East-West Shrine game and during the season to garner the invite,” Williams said. “I felt that I did everything I could possibly do to prove that I should have been there. After it sunk in that I wasn’t going I just had to do that much better at my pro days.”
At Western’s Pro Day sporting a “Numbers Don’t Lie” T-shirt, Williams started to prove the scouts wrong. Williams ran the 40-yard dash in 4.49 seconds, faster than any of the linebackers at the camp. The DuSable graduate started getting traction when he performed well at the East-West Shrine Game and then turned heads at his pro day March 4 when he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.46 seconds with 14 teams in attendance. That was on a basketball-court surface though and there were some questions for a guy who is 6-1, 241 pounds. Some didn't believe he was that fast. Try faster. Some doubts came into that since it was ran on the Western Hall hard court, but Williams bettered the time when he attended Northwestern’s Pro Day in mid-March. This time, on a slow FieldTurf surface, he clocked in between 4.42 and 4.48 seconds according to scouts we polled at the event.
Yes, you read right, Jason ran the 40 in 4.42 and 4.48. The interest only grew. Josh Buchanan, of NFLDraftBible.com reported that the Dallas Cowboys would meet with Jason X Williams in mid-April, which we as Cowboys fans learned, while Green Bay had Williams in for a visit too.
Now, a guy who was not invited to the combine could come off the board as early as the third round. What is boosting him is teams that run 4-3 and 3-4 schemes are interested. He's got instincts, tackles well in space and is smart. Someone spotted Bucs linebackers coach Joe Barry at Northwestern where 17 teams were represented with some scouts saying they were there for the sole purpose of watching Williams. Philadelphia also was there showing interest as NFL.com reported that Eagles linebackers coach Bill Shuey was in Evanston. When more than one-third of the league is checking you out, something good is bound to happen.
As you all know, I had Jason Williams in my mock draft, along with 11 to 14 players to be selected in the 2009 draft. Several fans on www.cowboyszone.com said no way would the Cowboys select above 8 or so players. Well, I was right, I know my football and my Dallas Cowboys stuff. All you had to do was listen to what Stephen Jones said in regards to the draft. So, enjoy the write up I did on Jason Williams. Let me know what you think.
As you all know, Jason Williams was selected in the 3rd round, 69th overall with the Cleveland pick.
Round 3...#69...(from Browns)... Jason Williams LB Western Illinois