Ian Williams of Notre Dame ~ 6.2/305
"A natural bender who can really coil up into his stance and fire off the football, generating initial leverage for himself on contact. Is an undersized nose, but does a nice job extending his arms into blocks and using his suddenness to slip opposing linemen in space and make his way toward the football on plays away from his frame. Plays with a good motor and demonstrates above-average range in pursuit. Gets into opposing linemen quickly with his good first step and is consistently one of the first linemen moving off the ball. Nevertheless, he isn’t real laterally gifted as a pass rusher and isn’t much more than a push/pull guy, which really limits what he can do on third down.
Lacks ideal power in his lower half and really struggles to push the pocket as a bull rusher and can be sealed easily from the football inside. Isn’t a guy who can consistently anchor on contact vs. the double team, as he relies on his quickness to gain an initial advantage in order to be effective getting up the field. Can be engulfed on contact too easily at times and will struggle to fight his way through opposing linemen once they get their hands on him.
Impression: Plays with leverage and has a good first step to his game, but needs to get stronger though his lower half in order to hold up vs. the power and size at the point at the next level."
Lacks ideal power in his lower half and really struggles to push the pocket as a bull rusher and can be sealed easily from the football inside. Isn’t a guy who can consistently anchor on contact vs. the double team, as he relies on his quickness to gain an initial advantage in order to be effective getting up the field. Can be engulfed on contact too easily at times and will struggle to fight his way through opposing linemen once they get their hands on him.
Impression: Plays with leverage and has a good first step to his game, but needs to get stronger though his lower half in order to hold up vs. the power and size at the point at the next level."
"The prevalence of the 3-4 scheme and importance for down linemen in any formation to stop the run gives the stock of stout yet athletic players like Williams a boost come draft time. His strength and large lower-body build makes him the prototypical nose tackle prospect, even though he's not the 350-pound behemoth that has succeeded at the position.
The 2006 Florida 5A first-team all-state pick as an offensive lineman made an instant impact on the Irish defense -- he was All-Central Florida pick by the Orlando Sentinel as a senior -- as a true freshman. He was named freshman All-American after playing in all 12 games, starting the final two, and finishing second among the team's defensive linemen with 45 tackles (1.5 for loss). Williams gained the starting nod in seven of 13 games played as a sophomore, making 40 stops, two for loss and also breaking up a pass. In 2009, he started eight of 12 games and was credited with 39 stops, an impressive six for loss, intercepted one pass and broke up another.
Williams was playing well in 2010 before an injury took him out of action for the last four regular-season games. He made his 38th tackle of the season in the team's Sun Bowl win over Miami (Fla.), to go with 3.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks while eating up blocks inside. Teams looking for a top reserve or potential starter at nose tackle will consider him worth a look in the middle of the draft.
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Strengths: Two-gap nose tackle has the anchor and lower-body strength to hold up against double-team. Aware of the play in the backfield, works his way off his block to chase plays when run to the other side of the line. Flashes nimble feet through trash inside. Can disengage from linemen with strong hands, occasionally spinning to get free. Capable of popping into his man's jersey to keep from getting moved off the line. Swallows backs with his girth when he closes up a gap, and has the strength to knock down smaller backs with an arm tackle. Chase and hustle are impressive, will help linebackers make stops at the second level and takes deep angles to chase down running backs down the sideline.
Weaknesses: Does not provide much initial pass rush but can prevent quarterbacks from stepping up into the pocket and gives effort to reach the passer until the ball is away. Lacks closing speed. Too short to affect passing lanes. Not mobile or explosive enough to get outside on stunts or twists. Often replaced in obvious passing situations. Adequate get-off for a run-stopping nose tackle, but does not have elite quickness to beat NFL interior linemen off the snap as a penetrator. Rarely dominates better linemen with his bull rush. Will not be a productive tackler outside of the box at the next level."
The 2006 Florida 5A first-team all-state pick as an offensive lineman made an instant impact on the Irish defense -- he was All-Central Florida pick by the Orlando Sentinel as a senior -- as a true freshman. He was named freshman All-American after playing in all 12 games, starting the final two, and finishing second among the team's defensive linemen with 45 tackles (1.5 for loss). Williams gained the starting nod in seven of 13 games played as a sophomore, making 40 stops, two for loss and also breaking up a pass. In 2009, he started eight of 12 games and was credited with 39 stops, an impressive six for loss, intercepted one pass and broke up another.
Williams was playing well in 2010 before an injury took him out of action for the last four regular-season games. He made his 38th tackle of the season in the team's Sun Bowl win over Miami (Fla.), to go with 3.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks while eating up blocks inside. Teams looking for a top reserve or potential starter at nose tackle will consider him worth a look in the middle of the draft.
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Strengths: Two-gap nose tackle has the anchor and lower-body strength to hold up against double-team. Aware of the play in the backfield, works his way off his block to chase plays when run to the other side of the line. Flashes nimble feet through trash inside. Can disengage from linemen with strong hands, occasionally spinning to get free. Capable of popping into his man's jersey to keep from getting moved off the line. Swallows backs with his girth when he closes up a gap, and has the strength to knock down smaller backs with an arm tackle. Chase and hustle are impressive, will help linebackers make stops at the second level and takes deep angles to chase down running backs down the sideline.
Weaknesses: Does not provide much initial pass rush but can prevent quarterbacks from stepping up into the pocket and gives effort to reach the passer until the ball is away. Lacks closing speed. Too short to affect passing lanes. Not mobile or explosive enough to get outside on stunts or twists. Often replaced in obvious passing situations. Adequate get-off for a run-stopping nose tackle, but does not have elite quickness to beat NFL interior linemen off the snap as a penetrator. Rarely dominates better linemen with his bull rush. Will not be a productive tackler outside of the box at the next level."
"Bio: Three-year starter who was limited to nine games as a senior and finished the year with 38/3.50/1.5 and an interception. Junior totals included 39 tackles with six tackles for loss.
Positive: Strong defensive tackle built low to the ground and best defending the run. Plays with good pad level, tough to move off the point, and effectively uses his hands to protect himself. Shoots the gaps up the field, remains disciplined, and consistently plays with leverage. Keeps his feet driving up the field and displays good strength in his lower body. Possesses adequate change-of-direction skills.
Negative: Marginal pass rusher with only a small burst of speed. Short and engulfed by opponents.
Analysis: Williams is a hardworking interior lineman who can control the middle of the line and plays smart football. He offers ability in a variety of systems and could develop into a starter at the next level."
Positive: Strong defensive tackle built low to the ground and best defending the run. Plays with good pad level, tough to move off the point, and effectively uses his hands to protect himself. Shoots the gaps up the field, remains disciplined, and consistently plays with leverage. Keeps his feet driving up the field and displays good strength in his lower body. Possesses adequate change-of-direction skills.
Negative: Marginal pass rusher with only a small burst of speed. Short and engulfed by opponents.
Analysis: Williams is a hardworking interior lineman who can control the middle of the line and plays smart football. He offers ability in a variety of systems and could develop into a starter at the next level."
"Positives: Good initial burst off the line... Good short area mobility... Very solid power... Gets into opponents quickly... Plays with reasonably good leverage... Uses his hands well... Can get occasional push with bull rush... Plays the run well... Very solid anchor in the middle... Does an adequate job shooting gaps... Can occupy double teams... Stay at home run stopper... Chases the action... Good tackler... Good range... Good leader... Good instincts and awareness... Good motor... 3-4 NT candidate, though a bit undersized... Reminds me a lot of Casey Hampton.
Negatives: Lacks explosion... Doesn't get in the backfield very much... Not a great penetrator or pocket collapser... Had not recorded a sack prior to this season... Not much of an arsenal... Plays a little too high... Needs to get a little stronger in lower body... Does not have much room left to add bulk... Gets a lot of plays off... Two-down run stuffer... Missed four games with torn MCL this season."
Negatives: Lacks explosion... Doesn't get in the backfield very much... Not a great penetrator or pocket collapser... Had not recorded a sack prior to this season... Not much of an arsenal... Plays a little too high... Needs to get a little stronger in lower body... Does not have much room left to add bulk... Gets a lot of plays off... Two-down run stuffer... Missed four games with torn MCL this season."
"Strengths: Quick and strong with natural leverage. Stays low and uses his hands well to keep blockers off of his body; sheds well. Penetrates to disrupt blocking schemes. Does the dirty work; will sacrifice himself to tie up blockers and free up others to make the play. Space-eater who plays hard all the time.
Weaknesses: Not very big and likely can't add weight without sacrificing quickness. Gives ground vs. the double team and is not suited to anchor. Gets cut and goes to the ground too much. Likely not a front-line player.
Projection: Late-round pick has some skills as a three-technique DT in a 4-3 defense. May not be starting material but will give it everything he has and be a good rotational/backup player."
Weaknesses: Not very big and likely can't add weight without sacrificing quickness. Gives ground vs. the double team and is not suited to anchor. Gets cut and goes to the ground too much. Likely not a front-line player.
Projection: Late-round pick has some skills as a three-technique DT in a 4-3 defense. May not be starting material but will give it everything he has and be a good rotational/backup player."
Fanatical FootBall Fiend on Ian Williams
A solid prospect, probably a rotational Tackle at the NFL level, whose stock will probably sink to the very late rounds, because of an MCL injury.
As always, the preceding thoughts were regurgitated, derivative tripe, adding no value whatsoever, while in fact obliterating intelligent thought and offending the spirit of all decent men. You are now stupider for having read it, and are encouraged, in the strongest possible language, never to expose your eyes to this Site again.
As always, the preceding thoughts were regurgitated, derivative tripe, adding no value whatsoever, while in fact obliterating intelligent thought and offending the spirit of all decent men. You are now stupider for having read it, and are encouraged, in the strongest possible language, never to expose your eyes to this Site again.
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