NEW YORK - University of South Florida LB Jacquian Williams was selected 202nd overall by the New York Giants in the sixth round of the 2011 NFL Draft. He becomes the Bulls eighth NFL Draft pick over the last two years, which is the most of any team in the BIG EAST. Williams will join former Bull Jason Pierre-Paul, who was selected with the 15th overall pick last year, in New York.
"I love the game of football and I'm blessed beyond all measures to have the chance to play in the NFL," said Williams. "I felt like I did everything I could to put myself in this position, so seeing all that hard work payoff is great. I think my best football is ahead of me and I'm going to continue to work as hard as I can to make my family and the Giants organization proud."
With the selection, Williams becomes the fourth Bulls' linebacker to be selected in the NFL Draft. He joins Tyrone McKenzie, who was drafted in the third round by the New England Patriots in 2009 and is currently with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Stephen Nicholas, who was selected in the fourth round by the Atlanta Falcons in 2007, and Kawika Mitchell, who was picked in the second round of the 2003 draft by the Kansas City Chiefs.
"This is a great pick for that organization," said USF defensive coordinator Mark Snyder. "Coach Coughlin demands a lot, as does coach Holtz, and Jacquian was able to meet those demands for our program and will do so for the Giants. He's unbelievably athletic and can really run. He'll also have Jason Pierre-Paul there to help the transition, so it will be a good situation for him."
Williams played in 26 games, starting 14, during his two-year playing career with USF. He tallied 99 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 12 TFL, an INT and three PBU. Last season, Williams, who was voted a team captain, earned second-team All-BIG EAST honors after leading the team in tackles with 71 to go along with 2.5 sacks, 11 TFL, an INT and three PBU.
