NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The New England Patriots selected Joejuan Williams with the 45th overall pick of the NFL Draft. Williams was taken in the second round.
Williams becomes the 15th Vanderbilt player selected in the NFL draft in the last decade. He becomes the highest Commodore draftee since wide receiver Jordan Matthews was taken as the 42nd overall pick in 2014.
Williams becomes the first Commodore selected by the reigning Super Bowl champions since offensive lineman Thomas Welch was taken in the seventh round of the 2010 draft. Williams also is the first Commodore defensive back taken since Andre Hal was picked in the seventh round of the 2014 draft.
Williams, a defensive back from Nashville, earned All-Southeastern Conference recognition from the league head coaches and Associated Press as a junior.
With the 45th pick, the #Patriots select defensive back Joejuan Williams. @JoejuanW | #PatsDraft pic.twitter.com/satVVMObMN
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) April 27, 2019
Williams ranked first among SEC players and eighth nationally with 18 passes defended in 2018, tying a team record originally set by Andre Hal in 2013. Williams also ranked second in the SEC and 16th nationally with four interceptions last year.
Earning 12 starts in 2018, Williams racked up 61 tackles (48 solo) and 2.0 tackles for loss.
The economics major made 36 appearances through three seasons, accumulating 119 tackles (95 solo), 6.0 tackles for loss, 30 passes defended and four interceptions.
Williams is a two-time SEC Academic Honor Roll recipient.