After Nick Bosa was taken by the San Francisco 49ers, the Jets had the opportunity to either trade back or take the best defensive player on the board.
They chose the latter.
In Quinnen Williams, the Jets are adding what many believe to be the best player in the entire draft. In New York, Williams will join a defensive front that includes Leonard Williams, Henry Anderson and Steve McLendon.
In Williams, the Jets are getting a long, lean versatile player. Williams dominated as a redshirt sophomore under Nick Saban at Alabama and comes to New York with a clean bill of health.
With that being said, let’s get to know Gang Green’s first-round pick.
Originally committed to Auburn
A four-star recruit coming out of high school, Quinnen Williams originally committed to the University of Auburn. However, Nick Saban worked his magic got him to flip to the Crimson Tide.
Williams only had one season playing as a starter Alabama, but dominated in the trenches. His efforts helped lead Alabama to a National Championship in 2018.
Lost his Mom at 12
Quinnen Williams lost his mother to breast cancer when he was just 12. Now, after being drafted by the Jets, Williams will continue to honor her memory with his play on the field just as he did at Alabama.
Williams took a leadership role in his own home at a young age, as he viewed it as his duty to take care of his sister above all other tasks.
Williams has been through a lot of obstacles in his life. Overcoming them to become a top-five pick in the NFL draft speaks to the character of the man New York just selected.
First paycheck going to Grandma
When Quinnen Williams officially signs his lucrative rookie contract, the first person he plans to spend it on is is his grandmother.
“I think I’m going to buy my grandma a car,” Williams told TMZ in an interview in January.
Now, he can certainly afford to do just that. If the Jets learned anything throughout the draft process, it’s that Williams is a family man first and foremost.
Outland Trophy Winner
In 2018, Williams was awarded the Outland Trophy award, which is given to the best defensive lineman in all of College Football.
Williams was dominant and a one-man wrecking crew in Tuscaloosa. In his redshirt sophomore season, Williams had 71 tackles, 19.5 TFLs and eight sacks.
