Dorian Williams, LB Tulane: 2023 NFL Draft Profile

Williams was a three-star safety recruit from Indian Land High School in Indian Land, S.C. in the class of 2019

Tulane senior Dorian Williams is a former three-star safety turned linebacker. The All-American Athletic Conference linebacker will attend the Reese’s Senior Bowl before entering the 2023 NFL Draft.

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Dorian Williams, LB Tulane: 2023 NFL Draft Profile

Classification: Senior weakside linebacker from Indian Land, S.C.

Background: Williams was a three-star safety recruit from Indian Land High School in Indian Land, S.C. in the class of 2019. He was the No. 2,394 recruit according to 247Sports and No. 2,231 for On3.com. Williams was an unranked two-star recruit for Rivals. He did not receive a star ranking or grade from ESPN. As a high school senior, Williams produced 97 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, multiple interceptions, and two fumble recoveries. He helped Indian Land reach the South Carolina AAA State Playoffs. Williams committed to Tulane over Coastal Carolina and Troy. He has an older brother and two older sisters. Williams led the American Athletic Conference in tackles in 2020.

2021 Production: 12 games, 73 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 9 pressures, 1 sack, 1 fumble recovery, 3 passes defensed

2020 Production: 12 games, 97 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, 12 pressures, 3.5 sacks, 3 passes defensed

2019 Production: 11 games, 14 tackles

Injuries & Off-Field: N/A

Awards: 2020 Second-Team American Athletic Conference

Pros: Cut down on missed tackles, rarely penalized, special teams experience on the kick return, kick coverage, punt return, punt coverage, and field goal block units, eyes see clearly into the backfield to track the running back, gains sufficient depth in his coverage drops, good arm length with a significant wingspan, athleticism helps him work through the wash, motor runs hot, high-effort pursuit player, quick downhill trigger, squares up for and drives through tackles, good downhill closing burst, most at home in coverage when covering the flat, active hands to disrupt passing lanes, range to the nearside sideline to contain scrambling quarterbacks, some instances of staying attached to and carrying tight ends downfield or smothering wheel routes against Memphis (2022), offers some impact as a backside run defender

Cons: Lean lower half, desire to come downhill makes him lose angles against the run, doesn’t pack any power as a pass rusher, undersized, struggles to disengage from and handle the power of climbing linemen and tight ends, linear speed and acceleration are uninspiring, limited time spent in the slot, lacks true sideline-to-sideline range, high-hipped, footwork is hoppy instead of fluid, hands lack pop, some hip tightness, struggles to change direction, finished the ground several times by Houston (2022) offensive linemen, hand placement and activity when trying to shed blocks is inadequate, lacks agility to consistently handle man coverage assignments, footwork looks labored and heavy at times

Overview: Williams is unofficially listed at 6'2", 230 lbs. The true senior plays weakside linebacker for Tulane, but he has some experience filling other roles. Tulane will occasionally line Williams up along the line of scrimmage in a 7-tech role on third and long situations. He’s an experienced special teams player with roughly 700 snaps under his belt split between the kick return, kick coverage, punt return, punt coverage, and field goal block units. Williams has good arm length and a massive wingspan that will turn heads in the pre-draft process. The South Carolina native has cut down on missed tackles this season. He displays a quick downhill trigger with good closing burst. That burst also helps him make plays as a backside run defender. Williams’ eyes see clearly into the backfield and help him track down the running back. He’s a high-effort pursuit player who uses his length to expand his tackle radius. Williams has active hands in pass defense, which he uses to disrupt passing lanes. He lacks sideline-to-sideline range but has sufficient speed and range to shut down outside runs to the near sideline. Williams gains sufficient depth in his coverage drops and shows flashes of carrying tight ends downfield and disrupting wheel routes. However, he’s most at home in coverage when covering the flat. Williams will fit best in a zone-heavy scheme at the next level. He lacks the agility to consistently handle man coverage assignments. The former three-star recruit hasn’t spent significant time in the slot. He displays some tightness in his high hips, and his footwork and transitions appear labored. Williams’ acceleration, change of direction skills, and linear speed are uninspiring. He still possesses the lean arms and lower half of a safety, which prevents him from generating much pop or power at the point of attack. His desire to come downhill makes him surrender angles against the run. Williams struggles to disengage from the power of climbing linemen and tight ends. He was finished to the ground several times against Houston (2022). His hand placement and strength when trying to shed blocks are insufficient. Williams’ footwork is hoppy instead of fluid.

Overall, Williams is a leader for Tulane’s defense who combines his high motor with good closing burst, but he struggles to shed blocks and hasn’t mastered how to handle assignments in man coverage. He should see playing time early in his career on special teams but might lack the fluidity and power to ultimately become a full-time role player on defense.

Role & Scheme Fit: WILL linebacker in a zone-heavy 4-3 scheme

Round Projection: Late Sixth to UDFA

Player Comparison: N/A

Submitted: 11-10-22