ExtremeRavens Posted April 10 Posted April 10 During this month’s NFL draft, Morgan State defensive tackle Elijah Williams will be quietly huddled for dinner with family members, but there will be a lot of anxious moments. It’s hard to hide inner feelings. “I honestly don’t know,” Williams said about his emotions. “I would like to say that I’ll be calm. I wouldn’t say I’m too much of an over-thinker. I try to put everything in God’s hands, but for the most part, I won’t know how I will feel. “This is something new. I don’t know if I will feel super overwhelmed with joy or I’ll just be super anxious. We’ll find out when the time comes.” That’s because Williams is on the draft bubble. He isn’t considered a Day 1 or Day 2 pick when the draft is held April 24-26 in Green Bay, Wisconsin, but he could go on Day 3, and that would be OK with Williams. Even if he signs with a team as an undrafted free agent, he welcomes the opportunity to play. His resume is impressive. Williams recorded 216 total tackles in four years with the Bears, and despite coming to Morgan State as a linebacker, he is the school’s all-time sack leader with 31. That’s what the pro scouts like about the 6-foot-2, 288-pound prospect. He has exceptionally quick hands and the Bears moved him along the line to create mismatches. He could play over a guard or tackle. Heck, he could even match up with a center if that worked in Morgan State’s favor. Morgan State defensive tackle Elijah Williams is hoping to land with an NFL team this offseason, either in the draft or free agency. (Courtesy of Morgan State Athletics) Where will he fit in the NFL? Oh, they might find a place. “We moved him around so he didn’t just play inside for us,” Morgan State coach Damon Wilson said. “One of his best attributes were his hands and his motor. He’s the guy that’s going to play hard for four quarters. He is the all-time sack leader at Morgan, which is a big deal with regards to some of the guys that came to the university before him. “So he’s definitely put the work in and deserves all the accolades and opportunities. He’s not the longest guy, but teams have been looking at him as an inside guy. It’s a possibility that he gets drafted. I think his resume states that he should have a chance to, but that’s for the professionals to decide.” You can tell that Williams is a team favorite. Wilson calls him an old gym rat because he is always first in the weight room or on the practice field and the last to leave. There is always the motivation to push his teammates. Williams is a character. He wore the No. 0 and had the nickname of “Special Agent Zero.” That’s like a major college or NFL player wearing lime green cleats: You better be able to play and back it up. Williams could. “Throughout high school, I was never able to pick my own number,” Williams said with a laugh. “So, when they came out with the zero in my sophomore year in college, I was able to change it. It definitely looked dope, especially on a defensive lineman, so I went for that.” At the HBCU scouting combine in New Orleans in February, which was started three years ago to showcase more Black players, Williams squatted more than 600 pounds and bench pressed the required 225 pounds 30 times. You get the impression that things will work out for Williams, regardless if he makes it in the NFL. He came to Morgan State as a late recruit because of bad grades, but he earned a full scholarship by his sophomore season. His mom, Kathleen, is a medical biller and coder in Jersey City, and his father, Herm, is a photographer and graphic designer. Williams has six siblings, including four sisters, and he appears to be a humble individual. He doesn’t have any favorite musicians but prefers Jersey City club music. Ask him about his favorite author and he responds: “My Lord and Savior, I like to read his book, especially the King James version. Makes me feel a little smarter.” Guys with his type of perseverance always succeed. “I just have to keep grinding,” Williams said. “I need to focus on my main goal and get that done. I don’t try to think too far ahead, just focus on what’s in font of me. I need to to get into the league, make a team and then become a starter.” His priorities are in order. Have a news tip? Contact Mike Preston at epreston@baltsun.com, 410-332-6467 and x.com/MikePrestonSun. View the full article Quote
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