From the bright lights of Hollywood to the brighter lights of the NFL, Damian Williams will look to prove that his game translates to the next level.
Damian Williams WR
Junior: USC
Height 6’1″ , 190 lbs
Williams, an Arkansas boy, committed to be a Razorback out of high school, but decided to transfer to USC after Arkansas appeared that they would be a run-first offense behind runningback Darren McFadden. This draft is full of WR prospects who’s ceilings were lowered by being trapped in run-first offenses and inadequate quarterback play. Williams refused to let this happen to him. He was forced to sit out the 2007 season due to transfer policies, but his relocation paid off as Hollywood University provided the talented wide-out with the opportunity to play under the national spotlight. You have to wonder what he could have done if Mark Sanchez had opted to return to the Trojans. Despite losing his star quarterback, Williams was able to make the most of his junior season with a true freshman under-center. He graduated from USC but had one more year of football eligibility. He’s chosen to forgo his senior season to enter the 2010 NFL draft.
Freshman Year 2006 @ Arkansas: 19 catches, 235 receiving yards, 2 touchdowns.
2007: Sat out a year per transferring policy
Sophomore Year 2008 @ USC: 58 catches 869 receiving yards, 9 touchdowns.
Junior Year 2009 @ USC: 70 catches, 1010 receiving yards, 6 touchdowns. Also made significant contributions on special teams, returning 2 punts for scores. He averaged 14.2 yards per punt return. Was awarded the Punt Returner Trophy by College Football Performance Awards for his 2009 efforts.
Williams made the most of his last college outing as he pulled down 12 catches for 189 yards vs. Boston College in the Emerald Bowl.
Strengths: Very well rounded. Solid route runner. Soft hands, quick in and out of breaks. Fluid at changing direction. Hard to contain with one on one coverage. Expected to run a sub 4.5. Will extend for the ball and poses solid leaping ability. Big play capability. Good vision in the open field. Elusive. Punt return skills. Good character.
Weaknesses: He could use some touching up of his blocking. Needs to work on preventing jams and being more physical for jump balls. Has decent size, but not prototypical red-zone frame. Had some injury troubles in 07 and 08.
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