2019 NFL Draft: 3 players affected by new Scouting Combine rules
Preston Williams, WR, Colorado State
Preston Williams of Colorado State is one of the most underrated wide receivers in this year’s draft, but he’s also got some serious question marks surrounding his personal character.
This article is a great, in-depth look at Williams’ journey just to get to Colorado State after starting his college career with the Tennessee Volunteers.
Williams’ incidents occurred after he transferred to Colorado State, and definitely raise some red flags. From the previously linked article:
"“The receiver was suspended for much of last season following arrests for harassment, tampering and domestic violence after an altercation with a former girlfriend. Williams allegedly shoved her multiple times during an argument at an off-campus apartment the two shared, according to Fort Collins police reports. He was arrested again three weeks later by CSU police for violating a restraining order after the first arrest.”"
Those are definitely concerning incidents, and Williams’ pre-draft evaluation is going to be one of the most important among prospects available in this year’s draft.
One of the most productive receivers in all of college football this past season, Williams looked like a true WR1 on tape with 96 receptions and 14 touchdowns.
The former five-star prospect was recruited in high school by then Georgia assistant Mike Bobo, who has since developed some phenomenal receivers at Colorado State in Rashard Higgins and Michael Gallup.
Williams is the best of them all, by far, but his off-field situation from 2017 is a significant concern. Teams need to be able to interview this guy to get a better sense of the kind of person he is and whether or not he’s worth investing a high draft choice in.
Next. Latest 2019 NFL mock drafts. dark
On the field, he’s worthy of a first or second round selection. Off the field? Some teams might not even be willing to sniff around this guy given what transpired for him in 2017, but the interview process before the Combine will give him an opportunity to explain how much he has changed, or at least give NFL teams an honest look at the type of person he is.