Jamel Williams
DB from Nebraska
6-0, 205 pounds
4.54 40 time
ESPN reports
Notes: High-school All-American who had reconstructive surgery on both knees before he ever played in a game for Nebraska. Was a Prop 48 in 1993. Moved from defensive back to outside linebacker in '94, when he appeared in 10 games. Saw extensive action at both Will and Sam LB positions in '95 and was in on 47 tackles, six for loss, and had one sack. Also picked off a pass and returned it 36 yards for a score. Team's leading tackler in '96, when he was in on 97 tackles, had a dozen for loss, five sacks, three interceptions and two passes broken up.

Positives: Excellent athlete with tremendous speed. Ran a 10.52 100-meter dash for Nebraska's track team in the spring of '96. Vertical-jumps 38 inches and has a 10-6 broad jump. Showed great improvement in '96 and made a lot more plays. Very explosive for size. Can really hit and burst to the ball. Has the speed to run with almost anyone in coverage and has quick feet.

Negatives: Semi-projection going back to defensive back after playing linebacker for almost his entire college career, but it should be noted that, in Nebraska's scheme, he was used more like a nickel back than a true outside backer. Still is not that instinctive. Slow to react at times. Tends to play too upright. Has had surgery on both knees, so they must be checked out.

Summary: A semi-projection who has the speed, feet and explosiveness to eventually play strong safety on the next level, but surgical knees and lack of refined skills for the position he projects to could cost him to really fall in the draft.

Sporting News Reports:
Another linebacker-to-safety projection because of his athleticism. He played strongside linebacker at Nebraska but doesn't have the size to play there in the NFL. He has the speed to play anywhere on the field, having competed in the 100-meter dash in the Big Eight track championships in 1995. He used that speed to erase mistakes at linebacker. Coverage and playing in space are new to him, but he showed some promise at safety in the Senior Bowl. He should flourish because of his competitiveness, instincts and toughness.
Allsports Reports:
Played both linebacker and safety for the Cornhuskers, before settling in at linebacker. He will likely be used at safety in the NFL. Led the Cornhuskers in tackles with 97, including 12 for losses, along with five sacks and three interceptions in senior season. Has the athletic ability to become an All-Pro in the NFL. Runs a 4.50 in the 40 and owns a vertical jump of 40. Should be selected either late first or early second round.
Sportsline Reports: In many ways, Williams is similar to the Cowboys' Darren Woodson and the Steelers' Carnell Lake, both of whom made the successful transition from "rover" linebacker to the defensive secondary at the pro level. Williams is a super athlete with great speed (He is a track sprinter who has run a 6.3-second 55-meter dash indoors and a 10.5-second 100-meter dash outdoors, while also possessing a 40" vertical leap), has excellent quickness and range, is an explosive hitter, and has a knack for making big plays. He shows good awareness and instincts in zone coverage, flashes tight man-on-man cover skills, has the agility to mirror and cover the quicker backs and slot receivers, and flashes some impressive blitzing skills off the corner. He also supports the run a ggressively and is a high-intensity player that could excel on special teams early on. However, because of the many injuries he has sustained throughout his high school and collegiate career (both knees, shoulder), he is considered a medical concern. And, while he played well overall at the Senior Bowl, he appeared unsure of himself in zone coverage at times and looked a little stiff in his backpedal. Nevertheless, Williams is a tremendous athlete with excellent upside potential as a Woodson-type strong safety in the NFL.