Get to know Aaron Williams

The thing I love most about bloguin.com is that it’s such a large community of writers. I don’t have to try and Bullsh#t you when it comes to whether I know these draft picks can play or not. So, what I’ve been doing is reaching out to other collegiate writers to see what their takes are on specific college players. When the pick for Aaron Williams came out, first thing I did was email the folks over at Blogging Bevo, the Texas Longhorns site of bloguin.com. Here’s what their take was on the corner from Texas.

Q1)What are Aaron Williams strengths and weaknesses?

A1) The first thing you notice about Williams as a corner is his size and physicality. He is a hitter and very good tackler. He didn’t time that well at the combine in the 4.5’s, but he played fast and there was never a time where I thought speed was any sort of issue. He is a guy who started as a true freshman and it was obvious at that time that he was going to be a standout. As a sophomore he flew under the radar nationally, but Texas fans saw him as a guy who would be a top 10 type pick and challenge Patrick Peterson as the top corner in the draft. He was truly a shutdown guy. He didn’t put up gaudy numbers, and the reason for that is that teams simply wouldn’t throw his way. When they did, they paid. Most folks who don’t follow the Horns closely don’t realize just how great he was as a sophomore.

Question marks? Well, some wonder if he can be the guy who is alone on an island against a top receiver. I think he did a great job of that in college, but the question remains. He struggled some as a junior and his stock dropped, and I see that as a combination of the team and defense struggling as a whole, which trickled down to individual players, and a hit to the head he took during the season. He never looked the same after that. Even with his 40 time he would have been a top 15 pick if he wasn’t coming of a subpar year(see Joe Haden last draft).

 Q2) What is Williams attitude like? Is he a leader? A hard worker?

A2) Williams has a great attitude and is a high character guy. He was considered a leader on the team especially as a junior. I believe he’ll work hard to prove doubters wrong. He believes he’s a great player and worthy of a first round pick.

 Q3) Ive read reports he can play either corner or safety. What position do you see him playing and why?

A3) I see him as a corner. Could he transition to safety? Sure, but I doubt there will be a need. I think he can be a very good starting NFL cornerback. If he does struggle, then maybe a move to safety could be in the cards.

Q4) Could he start from day 1?

A5) Absolutely. Buffalo got themselves a heck of a football player. This is a guy who jumped into the starting lineup from day one at a top level college football program, and has started three years. He should be ready physically and mentally to start at the beginning. If not it should happen sometime during his rookie campaign. Considering where Buffalo selected him, he could be a real steal.

Q5) 5 years from now, Aaron Williams will be…

A5) A Pro Bowl cornerback. I believe he has the potential to be a star. If he’s not at least a legitimate starter in the league in five years, I’ll be surprised and disappointed. I think he can be the best secondary players to come out of Texas in the Mack Brown era, and that’s saying a lot.

Q6) What NFL player does he resemble?

A6) When thinking about this question, coincidentally, another Longhorn came to mind, Quentin Jammer. They are similar in size and both are physical corners. Quentin has been a very good pro, but I think Williams has the upside to be better.  Realistically, though, I could see him having a very similar career, and that wouldn’t be bad for a guy drafted just outside the first round.