Isaac Williams Turns Heads With His Pro-Day Speed

Story posted April 11, 2012 in NFL Draft by Patrick Woo.

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From playing for two junior college football programs to being a part of the best football team in Baylor history, Isaac Williams was simply looking for the best opportunity.

The 6-foot, 200-pound running back had offers from Memphis and Nevada coming out of El Camino Junior College. He had actually committed to the Tigers before Baylor came calling. Once the Bears were involved, Williams decided to attend Baylor.

But in his two years at Baylor, Williams struggled to see the field, playing behind Jay Finley and Terrance Ganaway. With the NFL Draft approaching, Williams had to perform well at Baylor’s Pro Day to impress NFL scouts, who don’t have much game film to evaluate.

“I needed to have a big Pro Day due to my lack of playing time,” Williams said.

Baylor's March 21 Pro Day was the biggest in the program's history thanks to the presence of the projected second overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, quarterback Robert Griffin III.

“[Griffin] opened doors for guys like me, guys that didn’t get a chance to play much,” Williams said. “For Pro Day, we had over 60 NFL scouts there. He opened up the door for guys like me.”

Williams appreciated Griffin's presence, not just because of the media attention, but because of his character.

“He’s just a very humble young man,” Williams said of the Heisman Trophy winner. “He’s a great kid on and off the field. He does the things that he does in front of the camera when the camera’s off.”

Williams took advantage of the opportunity, catching every scout's attention with his 4.37-second 40-yard dash and other displays of athleticism.

During his Baylor career, Williams had just 36 carries and 126 yards. But he contributed on special teams, including a forced fumble against Washington in the Alamo Bowl, a game in which possessions were crucial.

“Throughout my whole life, I had never really done special teams,” said Williams, who says he is now “a dog on kickoffs.”

“It was a way for me to utilize my speed and my athleticism,” he said.

Williams, the former three-star recruit by Rivals.com, was also able to showcase his pass catching ability. Rivals.com listed Williams as an “all-purpose back,” and he had 240 receiving yards in his junior college career.

Now, Williams is looking for a chance to utilize his versatility and special teams for an opportunity on an NFL roster.

“I’ve grown to understand that special teams is a great way to make a team,” he said.

Williams wanted to be a featured back but stuck through being buried on the depth chart while working for an opportunity.

“I stood there and fought when a lot of guys would have failed,” he said.

He continues to stand and fight the adversity until he hears his name called later this month in the NFL Draft.

 

Patrick Woo is a sophomore majoring in Journalism and is a ComRadio Sports Director. To contact him, email pww5053@psu.edu.