Jan. 23, 2008
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ProFootballWeekly.com: Williams can become a starterDraftInsiders.com: Williams has good practice
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MOBILE, Ala. – Nearly an hour after the initial Senior Bowl practice concluded, former Vanderbilt offensive tackle Chris Williams was still dressed, spending time getting to know several National Football League general managers, pro scouts and draft insiders.
Every player invited to the prestigious Senior Bowl, slated this Saturday at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, longs for the one-on-one, post-practice opportunities. From the players’ prospective, it’s a rare chance to impress and build relationships with key NFL Draft decision makers. If team officials are wanting to talk, it’s a clear sign of interest.
Williams, a graduate of Catholic High School in Baton Rouge, La., who came to Vanderbilt as an unsung prospect five years ago, is creating plenty of interest.
Williams, an All-Southeastern Conference performer this season, has been one of the Senior Bowl’s most watched prospects since measuring in at a shade over 6’6″ and 320 pounds. Generating interest much as former Commodore quarterback Jay Cutler did at practices leading to the 2006 Senior Bowl, Williams has helped himself immensely in the eyes of most keen draft observers.
Reached by telephone Tuesday, well-known ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper said Williams has helped himself at the practices, displaying excellent abilities and techniques to go with ideal NFL offensive line size.
“He’s done nothing to hurt himself, and probably even strengthened his status,” Kiper said. “I’ve got Chris going 19th to the Eagles (in updated draft projection) and I can see him moving up from there.”
One draft-oriented website, ProFootballWeekly.com, profiled Williams as its featured player in Wednesday editions. Another well-respected observer, Frank Coyle of www.draftinsiders.com, has been impressed. In a front-page column, Coyle offered the following praise after Tuesday’s practice: “Chris Williams of Vanderbilt had a fine practice. He is a massive athlete with footwork, technique and great power. He comes off the ball with a strong punch and fine functional strength to get a consistently good push at the line of scrimmage.” ESPN.com’s insider site devoted to Senior Bowl coverage called Williams “probably the top offensive line prospect on this (South) squad. Williams had a very good practice, however, and stays square to his target with excellent lateral agility. He has the light feet and natural knee bend to adjust and recover when beaten.”
Williams is hoping to become the second Vanderbilt player in the last two years chosen in the first round of the NFL draft, following Cutler’s No. 11 selection by Denver in 2006. Cutler just completed his first full year as a starter at quarterback for the Broncos, finishing as the AFC’s fifth-ranked passer.
If Williams continues to impress the rest of this week and at the upcoming NFL Combine, he could also become just the second Vanderbilt offensive lineman ever selected in the opening round. Will Wolford, a 1986 graduate, was selected 20th overall by Buffalo, and went on to a distinguished 12-year career with the Bills, Indianapolis Colts and Pittsburgh Steelers.
Other 2007 Commodore standouts are working to impress pro scouts. Defensive standouts Jonathan Goff and Curtis Gatewood caught the eyes of NFL staffers at the East-West Shrine Game held last weekend in Houston. All-time SEC receptions leader Earl Bennett is busy preparing for the NFL Combine. Several others, including linebacker Marcus Buggs, defensive tackle Theo Horrocks, tailback Cassen Jackson-Garrison and offensive linemen Hamilton Holliday and Josh Eames, are working on campus in preparation for the team’s Pro Day activity in mid-March.
