Player Spotlight: Roy Williams

By Kalani Takase, NFLHS.com

Roy Williams has a reputation: He's one of the league's hardest hitters.

In that regard, his name is held with the likes of John Lynch, Ray Lewis and Rodney Harrison. The thing is, unlike those NFL veterans, Williams is just in his third year in the league.

The 6-foot, 235-pound safety earned his first trip to the Pro Bowl last season. Williams was in on 86 tackles, including six tackles for loss and two sacks. He also intercepted two passes and forced a pair of fumbles.

Williams, 23, was drafted eighth overall by the Dallas Cowboys in the 2002 NFL Draft, and perhaps no one in that draft was expected to make such an immediate impact such as him.

As a highly-touted safety at Oklahoma, Williams was the recipient of the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation's best defensive back, the Bronco Nagurski Award as the top defender, the Big XII Conference defensive player of the year and a unanimous All-American.

The Sooners captured the national championship in his sophomore year after going 12-0 in the regular season before defeating Florida State in the Orange Bowl for Oklahoma's first title since 1985. Williams opted to forgo his senior season and enter the draft.

He was highly sought-after upon leaving Oklahoma and it was no different in high school. As a senior at James Logan High School in Union City, Calif., Williams was regarded as one of the top defensive back prospects and was heavily-recruited by numerous major programs.

Williams was a big reason for Logan's 38-10 record during the four years of his tenure. He played quarterback, wide receiver and, of course, defensive back in high school. In his senior season, Williams had five interceptions, 56 tackles, caught 13 passes for 302 yards, including five touchdowns, and ran for 162 yards and a touchdown on 38 carries.

"Oh, high school was a great time," laughed Williams. "It's really a great level to learn the game. In college, it's more about refining your skills. But high school, that's where you learn the basics and have fun. It's interesting because you play within a system, yet at the same time, you're learning so much at the same time, just by being on the field. It's kind of a nice balance between structure and street ball."

Although he said he has no desire to coach at the high school level, he holds prep coaches in high regard.

"They've got a tough job man. So many of the players they're getting, they're raw and don't know the game too well, so these coaches have to teach them not only about football, but being good citizens in their communities," Williams said. "Whether they know it or not, high school coaches are great role models and influences on their players -- I know mine was."

He has a clear message for high school athletes: "Stay clear of drugs. That won't get you anywhere, it can only hurt you," said Williams. "You have to believe in the (high school) system you're in, stick to your dreams, work hard and you know, anything is possible."

Williams is poised to be one of the building blocks in the future of the Cowboys' defense. And "America's Team" has made it clear that defense is a priority. Williams was their first pick in 2002 and former Kansas State cornerback Terence Newman was their first pick (fifth overall) in the 2003 draft. "I think we'll be alright," said a humble Williams. "We got some guys that we can build around for the next couple years."

Story courtesy Red Line Editorial, Inc.