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Dorian Williams: 6’1”, 225 pounds.
A three-star recruit in 2019, Dorian Williams saw action on special teams and some as a backup linebacker as a true freshman. He then entered the starting lineup and became one of the more productive players in the position across the past three seasons.
He recorded a total of 302 tackles, 9.5 of them for loss, two forced fumbles, two passes intercepted and 13 more broken up, going from honorable mention in 2021 to first-team All-ACC this past season.
Dorian Williams scout report: Strengths
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+ Has great explosiveness and plays with a ferocious mindset to blow ball-carriers up as they’re about to clear the line of scrimmage. As well as running them down as they try to get around the corner.
+ Stays balanced in his stance, with weight centered onto the ball of his feet, and is in the 90th percentile with 33 and ¾-inch arms, keeping blockers at bay as he tracks the ball-carrier.
+ On duo and other more vertically-oriented schemes, Williams can quickly cover ground as the back cuts upfield away from him, bringing that guy down for minimal yardage, even though it’s technically not his run fit.
+ When he becomes the iso-player or somebody climbs up directly, he approaches blockers more actively, looking to lock out and play through contact.
+ Shows some slipperiness and suddenness to navigate around traffic and get to the ball. Last season, he was better at sorting through the trash when he can’t just go straight after somebody.
+ Created some awesome stops in short-yardage situations, knifing through a gap to get his hands on the ball-carrier in the backfield or meeting them trying to go over the top of the pile.
+ Light on his feet, in order to redirect against misdirection plays, as well as very consistent and smart with his angles towards the sideline.
+ When he’s on a full run and guys try to get in his way, Williams can unload and send smaller guys flying.
+ Attacks low as a tackler to stop guys in their tracks and regularly flips those on their backside (missed only 8.3% of his attempts this past season, 12/144 total).
+ I thought in 2022 that Williams as a hook-dropper was more active with driving on routes breaking away from him, if that was the lone threat and not surrendering easy completions (especially on stick or out routes by the tight-end).
+ When widening out to the flats, he makes sure to knock the slot receiver stemming vertically off track, as he’s floating towards a hitch/curl route on the outside, etc.
+ Has the speed to run down wide receivers after seeing the ball being thrown over his head.
+ Does well to keep vision on multiple targets and still floating underneath the closest route to his area.
+ Will land some whacks on guys entering his area as they’re catching the ball and dislodge the football from them that way.
+ Received an 87.0 coverage grade from PFF, forcing four incompletions and picking off a couple of passes, compared to only a touchdown surrendered (161 yards on 27 targets).
+ Displays impressive closing burst when given a lane towards the quarterback as a blitzer.
+ Brings some rapid hand-swipes and can corners his rushes pretty well to be an asset as a pressure player. That’s why the Green Wave used him more regularly on the edge in designated passing situations.
Dorian Williams scout report: Weaknesses
– Dorian Williams has to become quicker at IDing pullers and scraping over the top from the backside.
– Once linemen or even some tight-ends get their hands inside Williams’ chest, he has a tough time getting off those. There’s room to become more prod-active in that regard.
– Unfortunately fulfilled more of the role of a spot-dropper rather than matching guys in the pattern for most of his career. There are still some moments where the ball is thrown right by him, and he didn’t show the awareness to drift underneath targets to make an impact.
– While he times up his blitzes well, too often he runs into linemen with extended arms and his rush stalls right at contact.
– Even when he has plenty of time to break down and wrap guys up in space, too often Williams will leave his feet for no reason, and his miss rate will increase that way at the next level.
Dorian Williams scout report: Grade
Dorian Williams wasn’t really on my radar as a top-level prospect prior to last season. However, I really enjoyed watching his play in the middle of the Green Wave D during their 12-2 turnaround season.
His 2022 tape was a lot more impressive than prior, being more aggressive with the way he approached blockers and drove on routes. Plus what Tulane did with him as a pressure player from different angles and alignments.
Williams can be almost patient to a fault and will need to add more muscle to his frame, making the transition from the AAC to the NFL. However, there’s a lot to like about his game and how it should translate for a role in the middle of the defense.
Grade: Top-100 overall
You might like other 2023 NFL Draft Scouting Reports: Noah Sewell, LB, Oregon, Jack Campbell, LB, Iowa, Drew Sanders, LB, Arkansas, Trenton Simpson, LB, Clemson, Daiyan Henley, LB, Washington State, Henry To'o To'o, LB, Alabama, DeMarvion Overshown, LB, Texas, Ivan Pace Jr., LB, Cincinnati, Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas.
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