He was not one of the eight general managers represented at Alabama’s Pro Day on Tuesday; however, Mike Maccagnan of the New York Jets needs to heed all signs and draft former Crimson Tide defensive lineman Quinnen Williams with the No. 3 overall pick in April.
After being satisfied with his numbers from the NFL Combine, Williams cheered on former teammates and handled interviews at the University of Alabama. He was seen closely beside another former Tide standout in C.J. Mosley throughout the day, as the two shared laughs.
RELATED: Five players that looked highly effective at Alabama’s Pro Day
Mosley, who recently signed a five-year contract worth $85 million for the Jets, is someone of whom Williams has a lot of respect for.
Upon talking with media personnel from NFL Network about his journey, the former four-star said he was “too excited” when he saw Mosley.
“I got him on my ultimate team,” Williams said of Mosley. “He is one of the best players on my team and I’m following in the same shoes. To leave Alabama and go into the NFL Draft from Alabama and potentially go play with him, I’m just enjoying the process. It’s so cool.”
For a young man who was given the nickname “300-pound bar of soap,” Williams is providing all signs for the Jets to draft him. The 6-foot-3, 303-pounder clocked a time of 4.83 seconds in the 40-yard dash – the fourth-fastest time by a 300-pound player since 2013. He led Alabama in tackles for loss (19.5) and quarterback hurries (12) in 2018, while accounting for eight sacks.
Jets’ head coach Adam Gase looks to pick up offensive talent to put around second-year quarterback Sam Darnold, but getting Williams first will shore up a defense that should affect both Tom Brady of the Patriots and Josh Allen (second-year QB) of the Bills next season.
*Get the BEST Alabama football insider information, message board access, and recruiting coverage today! SIGN UP HERE to unlock our subscriber only content!*
Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
