Oakland Raiders Losing Puts Them in Leonard Williams Sweepstakes

Oct 11, 2014; Tucson, AZ, USA; Southern California Trojans defensive end Leonard Williams (94) against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium. The Trojans defeated the Wildcats 28-26. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Who is He?

Williams is the highest rated defensive lineman the USC Trojans have produced since Darrell Russell, whom the Raiders drafted in 1997. As a true freshman he was the All-Pac 12  Defensive Freshman of the Year at defensive tackle and the next year, he moved to end and was an All-American. Now, Williams is the most dominant player in college football and rated as the best overall football player in the upcoming draft.

He reminds many former Raiders defensive lineman Richard Seymour when he was at the University of Georgia. The names Ndamukong Suh, Gerald McCoy, and J.J. Watt also come up when he’s mentioned among scouts and draft experts. And according to Stanford Cardinal head coach David Shaw, it’s pretty unanimous with the scouts he talks to.

From ESPN’s Kyle Bonagura:

"“You ask [the scouts] the question, ‘Who’s the best offensive player you’ve seen? Who is the best defensive player you’ve seen?’ Some of them said, ‘[Stanford receiver] Ty Montgomery on offense.’ Some said other guys, which is great. All of them said Leonard Williams at USC [on defense]. It’s not just me, everybody sees it.”"