Sylvester Williams, DT

04/25/2013 - ROB RANG'S FINAL 2013 NFL DRAFT BIG BOARD: 47. Sylvester Williams, DT, North Carolina: Frankly, I would have liked to have seen more consistency with Williams during his two seasons with the Tar Heels, but there is no questioning his combination of burst and strength. - Rob Rang, NFLDraftScout.com

Full Sylvester Williams News Wire

Even with the firing of head coach Butch Davis nearly two years ago, the defensive line talent (Davis' specialty) continues to flow out of Chapel Hill.

Davis and his staff recruited Williams out of Coffeyville Junior College, where he starred despite playing just one season of high school football. In his sophomore season at the JUCO, level Williams recorded 52 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, two sacks and five blocked kicks. He immediately established himself as a standout once at UNC, starting all 13 games for the Heels and recording similar numbers despite the jump in competition (54 tackles, seven tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks).

With opponents often shifting their protections to defend him in 2012, Williams' overall tackle numbers dipped to "just" 42 stops. Utilizing his unique combination of cat-like quickness and a lethal swim move, Williams emerged as one of the more dangerous big-play interior defenders in the country as a senior, however, earning First Team All-ACC honors from both coaches and the media with a career high 13.5 tackles for loss and six sacks.

Stout enough to control the action on the nose and quick enough to intrigue teams as a penetrating three-technique defensive tackle, Williams boasts clear first-round talent. But with consistency a concern, teams could be hesitant to gamble considering the depth at the position in the 2013 draft.

STRENGTHS: Possesses a naturally large, thick build. Possesses a very quick first step and a lethal swim move (both arms, if necessary) to slip past interior linemen. Varies his burst off the snap, lulling his opponent into relaxing and can make the explosive tackle behind the line of scrimmage before the ball-carrier has had time to make his first cut.

Good strength for the bull rush. Has the strength to rip his arms free to disengage and shows a quick, closing burst. Very good strength for the drag-down tackle as ballcarriers attempt to run by him. Versatile. Asked to line up on the nose, defensive tackle and even out wide, showing the ability to hold up to double-teams. Improving awareness versus screens, draws. Good pursuit to the edge. Has only played football for five years and appears to be an ascending player.

WEAKNESSES: Struggles with consistency. Can make the flashy play and then disappear for long stretches. Relies on his swim move to slip past the defender but has only average flexibility, which forces him to turn his back to "get skinny." When doing so, Williams often loses sight of the ball, actually helping his opponent create easy lanes, at times.

Lack of ideal flexibility and awareness is also evident against cut-blocks, as he is often knocked to the ground and has only average quickness in getting back up to get himself back into the play. While he shows good pursuit to the edge, Williams loses steam quickly and doesn't give much effort downfield.

COMPARES TO: Gerard Warren, DT, New England Patriots -- Like the 12-year veteran of the NFL trenches, Williams possesses precisely the combination of size, power, and burst to dominate the middle. The question for scouts will be if he has the work ethic to dominate consistently.

--Rob Rang