Tim Williams is ready to put his past behind him.
Regardless of outside noise, the football field serves as his safe haven. Following interviews and meeting with teams, the Louisiana native performed on-field drills with defensive linemen. For a position that dons Myles Garrett (Texas A&M), Carl Lawson (Auburn) and Williams’ former teammate at Alabama—Jonathan Allen—he took Sunday as a chance to show NFL scouts that he can be explosive while being in a three-point stance.
The acceleration and intensity that led to 19.5 sacks and 28.5 tackles for loss during his last two seasons for the Crimson Tide showed up in the 40-yard dash, vertical jump and broad jump.
Tim Williams’ NFL Combine numbers
40-yard dash: 4.68 seconds
10-yard split: 1.66 seconds
Vertical: 33.5″
Broad: 10’4″
3-cone: 7.36 seconds
20-yard shuttle: 4.57 seconds
Williams vs. D-Line group
In comparison with his combine group, the outside linebacker placed in the top-10 for his 40-time (10th), vertical jump (tied for eighth) and broad jump (tied for fifth). Williams’ burst in the 10-yard split confirms his explosiveness, when it comes to pursuing quarterbacks at first snap. During position workouts, he established control in his hips, legs and hands. Listed at 6-foot-3 and 244 pounds, the former five-star prospect showed fluidity in his lateral quickness.
#NFLCombine On-Field Drills Alabama OLB @JaYbOi225 NFLNetwork pic.twitter.com/TWBObtCmtA
— InsideBamaRecruiting (@RTRnews) March 5, 2017
Williams through combine interviews
Though he projects as a first-round pick, Williams provided media personnel with his thoughts on why he should be a concrete high round value.
“I am a champion,” Williams said. “I want to win and I hate to lose. I can get down into a three-point stance and rush the passer, or I can stand up in a two-point stance and achieve the same results.”
Multiple reports concerning Williams failing a number of drug test at Alabama surfaced upon the end of the 2016 football season. To address it head on, he told reporters that he’s been “completely honest” with teams.
“This is a billion dollar industry, so they’ve done their homework,” he said
“You can’t be dishonest because the first impression is the last impression. That’s what I’ve been doing a great job of since I’ve been here. I have been honest with every team and they have respected me.”
Stephen M. Smith is a managing editor and columnist for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @Smsmith_TDALMag.
