NASHVILLE – Quinnen Williams had a special jacket to show off at the NFL Draft.
The Alabama defensive lineman was selected by the New York Jets as the No. 3 overall pick Thursday. He was taken behind Oklahoma quarterback Kyler Murray (No. 1 to Arizona) and Ohio State linebacker Nick Bosa (No. 2 to San Francisco).
OTHER ALABAMA PICKS: Jonah Williams | Josh Jacobs | Irv Smith | Damien Harris | Deionte Thompson | Christian Miller | Ross Pierschbacher | Mack Wilson | Isaiah Buggs
The lining of Williams’ jacket was green, just like the Jets’ team colors, adorned with a cartoon.
“I got a jacket here with some green lining in it with a little kid standing next to a big dude,” Williams said. “Everybody sees the little kid and wants to pick on him. But hard work pays off and you can turn into a giant.”
It’s part of a promotion Williams is part of involving a kid who is bullied and has dreams of becoming an NFL player and Williams is “That big-time NFL player that the kid wants to be.”
The Jets are counting on Williams, 6-foot-5, 295 pounds, to be a big-time player next season. Williams was pegged to go No. 3 overall by several NFL draft analysts. He was taken ahead of defensive linemen Josh Allen (No. 7 to Jacksonville) of Kentucky and Ed Oliver (No. 9 to Buffalo) of Houston.
“I really looking forward to go and play for New York,” Williams said. “They already have a great defense. I just want to go there and help be an asset for them.”
Williams will join former Crimson Tide linebacker C.J. Mosley in New York. Mosley was traded from the Baltimore Ravens after the 2018 season. Williams will also be teammates with cornerback Jamal Adams and linebacker Avery Williams.
“It’s going to be amazing to play with those guys,” Williams said. “Those guys are franchise players. C.J. is a guy I really respect. Knowing I’ll have guys like C.J. Mosley and the other guys there to lean on and learn from is amazing.”
The past few drafts NFL teams have placed an emphasis on selecting pass rushers. Williams was asked Friday about his value as the No. 3 overall selection considering he’s not a true pass rusher.
“Without interior linemen those pass rushers wouldn’t be able to get to the quarterback,” Wiiliams said. “You have to have interior linemen there to push the pocket so edge rushers can get the sack. Without that the quarterback can just step up in the pocket and complete the pass.”
One of those quarterbacks he will seeking to push out of the pocket is five-time Super Bowl winner Tom Brady. The defending Super Bowl champ New England Patriots and the Jets are in the same division.
“Oh man, Tom Brady is the GOAT,” Williams said. “Anytime you get a chance to go up against Tom Brady and get a sack that’s an amazing stat to put on your resume. But I want to dominate every quarterback.”
For Williams, Thursday was all about one person.
“I wouldn’t be the person I am without my mom,” Williams said. “She instilled the things in me like hard work, effort, discipline and accountability.”
