[the Talking Can]

ranked 14th RB

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1248564

Overview

Looking for an opportunity to play right away, Williams turned down scholarship offers from numerous major colleges, especially in the Big 12 Conference, and decided to enroll at Tennessee State in 2005. Four years later, he leaves the university ranking second in school history with 849 carries, 4,329 rushing yards and 5,117 all-purpose yards. He ranks third in school annals in scoring with 264 points and 44 total touchdowns, as his 42 touchdowns rushing set a TSU all-time mark.

Only two other players ever rushed for more than 1,000 yards in a season for the Tigers, and Williams accomplished that feat three times. He is also the only player to lead the team in rushing four times in his career, as he owns four of the top seven spots on Tennessee State's single-season record list for rushing yardage.

Williams earned All-Houston Area, All-District and All-Texas first-team honors for Foster High School as a senior, adding Class 4A All-State second-team accolades (Adrian Peterson of Minnesota was the first-team running back). He rushed for more than 2,300 yards during his final campaign and generated 1,299 yards on the ground as a junior. A National Dean's List student, he also excelled in track, capturing the district title in the long jump.

Williams turned down scholarship offers from Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Baylor and Houston, among other major universities to enroll at Tennessee State in 2005. He earned All-Ohio Valley Conference second-team and OVC All-Newcomer team honors, as he ranked fifth in the conference with 872 yards and four touchdowns on 202 carries (4.3 avg), the seventh-best season total in school annals.

As a sophomore, Williams was again an All-OVC second-team choice. He finished second in the league and 16th nationally with 1,233 yards on 245 attempts with 11 scores, the third-best season total by a Tiger. He also placed third in the conference with an average of 131.18 all-purpose yards per game.

Despite amassing 1,187 yards rushing on 195 tries (6.1 avg) that included 12 scores, Williams strangely did not receive any conference postseason recognition. He added 240 yards on 14 receptions, ranking fourth in the OVC with an average of 129.73 all-purpose yards per game.

Williams captured All-American, All-OVC and league Offensive Player of the Year honors in 2008, despite missing the final two games with a hamstring pull. He led the conference with 1,037 yards and 15 touchdowns on 207 carries (5.0 avg). He scored again on 19 receptions for 245 yards (12.9 avg), ranking ninth in the nation in scoring with 96 points, tying for fourth on the school single-season record list. :
Scouting Report

GENERAL REPORT: GRADE: 6.08

Body Structure: Williams has good upper body thickness, showing good muscle definition in his arms and chest. He could use additional bulk, but might be at maximum growth potential without having the added weight impact his overall quickness. He has a tight abdomen and hips and thickness in his thighs and calves.

Athletic Ability: Williams is a strictly a north-south runner, as his agility tests and running stride show his hip stiffness, preventing him from being effective bouncing out wide. He has the functional leg drive to break tackles and shows good forward body lean, but must stay at a low proper pad level to drag defenders for extra yardage. He shows functional quickness, but will not explode into the open. He has the balance to push the opponent upon contact and flashes enough short area burst and acceleration to move the chains. He is just not going to win foot races in the open. GRADE: 5.8

Football Sense: Williams is an instinctive player who needs only minimal reps to retain. He excels in the classroom, graduating in just under four years and has made the Dean's List. He has no problems taking the plays from the chalkboard to the playing field. He plays with good field alertness and shows the ability to adjust on the move when he recognizes coverage. GRADE: 6.7

Character: Williams is a leader by example type with no known off-field issues. He gets good family support and is a personable sort, respectful and a good program player who coaches use to mentor the younger players. He is popular with his teammates and was comfortable with his decision to attend Tennessee State, feeling that education was more important, even though most Big 12 Conference schools offered him a free ride. GRADE: 6.4

Competitiveness: Williams is a tough competitor who might lack great overall athletic skills. He is better served as an inside runner, but does not have the raw strength to move the pile regularly. His obvious hip stiffness makes him a liability running long routes or when trying to bounce the ball out wide. He likes to get the ball in pressure situations and when he stays low in his pads, he can get decent yardage between the tackles. GRADE: 5.7

Work Habits: Williams has that ethic that never lets him get complacent with his ability. He studies films, spends extra hours in the training room and takes well to hard coaching. He is a leader-by-example type, but will not hesitate to get vocal with a teammate not performing to standards. He practices as hard as he plays and is very accountable. GRADE: 5.8

ATHLETIC REPORT: GRADE: 5.62

Initial Quickness: Williams has a decent first step into the hole, keeping his pad level down and body leaning forward to gain positive yardage. His low center of gravity has prevented defenders from going low and attacking his legs. He doesn't have the breakaway speed to take the ball long distances, nor can he power his way into the open, so he needs to get skinny and slip through traffic and square his shoulders when breaking the initial tackle. He has enough snap quickness to gain advantage on a lethargic defender. His problems occur when he has to take the play wide, as he does not generate enough explosive acceleration turning the corner, but his effective when trying to attack the holes between the tackles. GRADE: 5.7

Acceleration/Burst: Williams has a functional initial burst, but doesn't have the second gear to break free from the pile in the open. He is more of a patient runner who has to follow his blockers than one who relies on suddenness or explosion. He has a deceiving stride that lets him get up on the defender and keeps his pads low to sift his way through trash. GRADE: 5.5

Instincts/Balance: Williams' low center of gravity and strong lower base lets him break tackles or drag defenders for extra yardage. He shows good forward lean and it is rare for an opponent to stuff him behind the line of scrimmage (only lost 5.5 percent of the yardage he attempted to gain during his career, 253 lost/4,329 gained). He is stiff in his hips when redirecting, but keeps his feet and shoulders square to push the pile. He has the natural knee bend to sink and uncoil, doing a good job in maintaining body control. GRADE: 5.8

Inside Running: Williams is an effective downhill runner with the balance and leg drive to break tackles. He doesn't show good hip wiggle, but does have a feel for the cutback lanes. He runs hard, giving a solid effort to move through the trash. With his ability to stay at a low pad level, he can run through defenders on initial contact. He runs with good body lean and works to finish while maintaining balance. He has a good feel for reading his blockers and will get the hard yards up the middle when he keeps his shoulders squared. The thing you see on film is Williams' pick-and-vision when running inside. He does a good job of picking up his feet and is functionally nimble working through tight areas. GRADE: 6.3

Outside Running: While not used much along the perimeter, Williams has the vision and leg drive to make the first tackler miss. He is better served running between tackles, as he doesn't show the hip wiggle or second gear to take the ball to the house on the outside. He can gain positive yardage when bouncing out, but is better served punishing opponents with his power-oriented stride going up the middle. GRADE: 5.3

Elusiveness: Williams is not going to look like a ballerina bouncing to the perimeter. He has just enough shake to make linebackers miss, but is the type that is best served moving the pile rather than trying to elude. He has good one-cut agility and the body control to adjust on the move, along with valid vision and instincts. He just lacks ideal hip wiggle and shake. With his low center of gravity, he is better off taking the ball up the gut rather than try to generate a second gear needed to elude and take the ball to the house on the outside. GRADE: 5.2

Tackle-Breaking Strength: Williams needs to get his pads down and legs churning before hitting the line in order to be successful, as he does not have great leg strength. It is rare to see him run high or narrow, as he's determined to stay at the right pad level to generate positive yards after initial contact. He needs to increase his overall power base if he hopes to uncoil and explode through the initial tackler at the next level, but he has that compact and aggressive running style to consistently finish. GRADE: 6.2

Tendency to Fumble: Williams has had some ball security issues, leaving the ball too exposed in one hand when running into the second level, but he has made mechanical adjustments (now holds the ball on a better angle). He just needs to be more conscious of protecting the ball with both hands when running up the middle. GRADE: 5.2

Receiving Skills: Williams has natural hand agility and good extension, showing decent body torque to adjust and get to the off-target throws. He is better served when used on screens, flats, outs and controlled routes, as he lacks the timed speed to be utilized more as a deep pattern receiver. Because of his tight hips, he will struggle at times scoop up the low throws and will sometimes let the ball absorb into his body when working underneath, but he uses his frame well to shield defenders from the ball. He is more effective when used in the flats rather than on the upfield routes. GRADE: 5.7

Route Running : Williams has the extension and reach when adjusting to the ball in flight and is better served when he can catch the ball in stride rather than looking it in over his outside shoulder. He has the hand/eye coordination to settle in the soft spot of the zone, but needs to develop looser hips to adjust to the deep throws. He runs the swing and stop routes with effectiveness, but does not have the speed to separate and will get caught from behind in the open. GRADE: 5.4

Blocking Ability: Williams is the type of in-line blocker who will not hesitate to face up. He has the kick slide to neutralize bull rushers, but just adequate upper body strength to punch and sustain on his blocks. He is not an explosive contact seeker, but does have a good concept for angling and seeks out and finds the second-level defenders well. GRADE: 5.5

Compares To: CHESTER TAYLOR, Minnesota -- Like Taylor, Williams is an effective inside runner who does the little things well, but there is not really a standout area in his game. He is an effective between-the-tackles type who might not have the power to push the pile consistently, but knows how to slip through trash to get to the second level. He has adequate speed, but will get caught from behind. He will be best served as part of a running back rotation rather than as a featured back, but will bring a positive spin to an NFL backfield.

OVERALL GRADE: 5.66