On Friday, the Dallas Cowboys used their second-round draft pick on Ole Miss defensive end Sam Williams, someone defensive coordinator Dan Quinn has been eyeing. It was the culmination of a dream, and the phone call between the former Rebels star and his NFL franchise was something to behold.
Dream come true!@DegarrickSamuel ➡️ @DallasCowboys pic.twitter.com/8NWIXv5m2A
— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) April 30, 2022
Any phone call that starts off with “What’s up Jerry Jones” is bound to be a memorable one. The reactions of Williams’ family and friends in attendance was awesome, as everyone witnessed one of the biggest moments in the young former Ole Miss star’s life.
As for his on the field prowess, Williams’ best season came last year, as he tallied 12.5 sacks — a school record — with 16 tackles for a loss and forcing four fumbles. He left Ole Miss with third-team AP All-American and first-team All-SEC honors.
Williams was a former four-star recruit according to the On3 Consensus rankings, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average. His path to Ole Miss came through the JUCO level, as he was one of the highest rated junior college prospects in 2019. He received first-team JUCO All-American honors at Northeast Mississippi Community College with 17.5 sacks — a talent that came with him to the Rebels.
Sam Williams’ dream became reality when the Cowboys selected him No. 56 overall in the second round Friday. Now, he’ll be ready to prove them right for believing in him — his personality, his history, his ability.
Jerry Jones on Cowboys second-round pick Sam Williams: ‘We’re very satisfied.’
Furthermore, the Dallas Cowboys spending their second-round draft pick on Ole Miss defensive end Sam Williams is being viewed as a risky pick due to some off-the-field issues Williams went through while still in college.
Williams was arrested and charged with a felony charge of sexual battery, seeing him suspended from the Rebels during the 2020 season. After making him the newest member of his esteemed franchise, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones explained why he has no worries regarding Williams’ sexual battery case.
“We’ve had a keen interest in him, and we spent a lot of time talking with a lot of people that know him real close and also from a distance,” Jones said. “We’re very satisfied that we’re good with this pick.”
Evidently, Dallas did their due diligence, as they earmarked Williams as someone who they wanted. Continuing, Williams addressed the situation when speaking to the Dallas media on Friday, saying it’s a new life and he is hoping to move forward.
“Obviously I didn’t do anything,” Williams said. Now, it’s a new life, just a new start for me. That’s what I’m looking forward to the most, a new start in a new area with great coaches, great teammates and my family.”
Moreover, Williams was suspended from the team during the 2020 season, missing game time. Once the case was dropped, head coach Lane Kiffin brought him back into the program, where he was a huge contributor during the 2021 season.
Now, Jerry Jones hopes Sam Williams can join a talented Dallas Cowboys defense and become a strong contributor.
