NFL Update: Virginia Tech’s running back Ryan Williams to enter draft
Virginia Tech’s football program has taken another hit with the decision of start running back Ryan Williams to enter the NFL draft. Williams had broken the school record with 1,655 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns in his freshman year. Now in his sophomore
year, Williams feels that the time is right to move on to the NFL.
“It came down to what I felt like was the best decision for me,” said Williams in a statement. “When they say you have the potential to be a first rounder, that's something that's hard to pass up. This has been my dream since I was six and I've never wanted
to do anything else. This is an opportunity to help out my family and especially my brother.”
Williams recently suffered a hamstring injury and his second year at Virginia Tech hasn’t been as productive as his first. He was able to play only 10 games this season and rushed just 447 yards. Even with the injury, Williams was able to score an 87 yards
touchdown against Miami. His freshman year performance could put him in the first round of this April’s draft however considering the slump this season; he could become a second round pick.
The decision to enter the draft this year instead of last year or even after 2011 after recovering from his injuries has baffled many observers. One more healthy season would have made him a sure first round draft pick. Although his coach, Frank Beamer,
did not try to talk Williams out of entering the draft this year but he did suggest that waiting another year could improve his draft prospects.
Williams was told by the NFL draft advisory board that he could make the first round or be a high second round pick and that evaluation was good enough for the running back.
“Looking at the running backs that's coming out this year and coming out next year . . . and being a potential first-rounder, I don't want to pass that up,” Williams said. “With all the talk about putting the rookie salary cap on, when you're a first-rounder,
you try to get the best out of your contract.”
Williams hoped that Virginia Tech fans understood his decision to go pro and added that they were the most loyal fans in the country. “They were with me all the way, both when I was up and when I was down, and I thank them for making my time here so special.”
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