Our UNC Pro Day Quotables series continues with the best quotes from defensive tackle Sylvester Williams.
Williams only played a single season of high school football before graduating and going to work in a factory. He then walked on at Coffeyville Community College, where he had a standout two-year stint before gaining the attention of many major college programs. Williams decided to attend UNC where he started all 25 games he appeared in over the course of two seasons. He recorded 96 tackles, including 21.5 for loss, and 8.5 sacks as a Tar Heel. Williams was a 2012 First-Team All-ACC selection and named to the Pro Football Weekly All-America team.
On the Pro Day workout and his focus leading up to the draft:
“I feel very good about about (the Pro Day workout). Obviously I’ve got some more (workouts) coming and I want to do better every workout. I’m very athletic as a defensive tackle. I feel like I can play the run and get to the passer. It’s one of the strengths of my game — versatility — and I was very happy to show the scouts that … I feel like I’ve definitely helped my stock since the season. I did everything right. Every time I’ve been in front of scouts, I’ve worked hard and progressed to get better. I was hoping to prove I’m versatile, athletic, and quick as well. Being able to show I can play both tackle positions, doing everything the scouts have asked me to, and showing them that I’m very coachable as well (has been the focus).”
On draft projections:
“I’ve been getting a lot of feedback and have been projected as high as the first round and as low as the second round. The biggest thing about me is really nobody knows. Teams may say ‘I like Sly but really haven’t seen anything yet.’ So I’m just waiting for draft day to see what happens … I don’t want to put my name in a certain spot and it doesn’t happen. I feel like I’m a great player and can bring a lot to a team, like the ability to play right now — a day-one player. I feel like I’ve done everything I can to be drafted as high as possible, so I look forward to it.”
On working with former NFL player and Hall of Famer Warren Sapp:
“That was a blessing. He’s one of the greatest defensive tackles to ever play the game, so that’s big for me. One thing he talked to me about was the five steps to the quarterback. He said you’ve got to get there in five steps — the quarterback’s taking three steps, so it’s going to take you about five to get there. He said you don’t want to spend a lot of time dancing on the line, engaging with the offensive lineman. You want to get off the ball, beat them, get in the backfield and make plays. He told me I remind him a lot of himself back in his younger days, that I have a lot of ability, and if I keep working hard I’ll have the chance to be great.”
On being on the field with Jonathan Cooper:
“Cooper is one of the top offensive guards in the country, so being able to compete with him on a daily basis in the weight room and on the field, it’s gotten both of us better. He’s athletic as every defensive lineman out here. It was a competitive advantage.”
On being close to realizing his dream of playing in the NFL:
“It’s been exciting because a few years ago I could have never seen myself in this position. So being here today, at the combine a few weeks ago, the Senior Bowl, and even here at Carolina the last two seasons was a blessing. I just want to take advantage of everything I get the chance to do. For me, it’s about proving people wrong. I knew I could do it all along and had the ability to. It’s just about achieving my goal and showing everybody I’m a great guy and great player with a bright future.”
On earning a degree from UNC:
“That’s one of the reasons I came here — to get a degree from this great university, and I was able to do it. So having that degree means more to me than anything I’ve accomplished in my life up until this point. Football, right now, is the most important thing to me. But that degree is right up there with it.”
Our Pro Day Quotables series will finish up in the coming days with the best quotes from linebacker Kevin Reddick.
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