Williams declares for draft
By TIM CASEY
Assistant Sports Editor
Brock Williams confirmed on Sunday that he has declared for the National Football League draft.
The senior cornerback, who could have applied for a fifth year of eligibility, would not elaborate on his decision. Although Williams declined to comment to The Observer, he said he might hold a press conference sometime this week to offer reasons for his departure.
Williams remains in school and on track to graduate in May with a sociology degree.
Williams apparently had thoughts of leaving Notre Dame before Notre Dame's 41-9 loss in the Fiesta Bowl. After the Jan. 1 game, Williams told The Observer he had talked to Notre Dame football administrator Nick Carparelli a few weeks earlier about the possibility of declaring for the draft.
Williams petitioned the NFL and was told he would likely be selected in the third or fourth round. When a player with eligibility remaining petitions the NFL, he is classified in four categories (a probable 1st or 2nd round pick, 3rd or 4th round pick, 5th to 7th round pick, or a free agent), according to an NFL official.
During the past season, it had been assumed Williams would return for a fifth year. On several occasions, coach Bob Davie mentioned that Williams would be a key contributor to the 2001 squad.
The speculation that Williams would declare for the NFL draft began after the Fiesta Bowl. Williams mentioned immediately after the game that he "went from decided to undecided" in his plan to return next season. He then said, "I want to come back next year and have a good, good season."
Moments later, Williams spoke of his prior discussion with Carparelli.
"The coaches will probably be shocked at what I'm saying but that's the way I am feeling," Williams said. "I'll let them know."
According to Carparelli, Williams and Davie were contacted by the NFL sometime between Jan. 6 and Jan. 12 regarding Williams's projection in the draft.
"When that came back, it may have been higher than Brock expected," Davie told The Associated Press on Friday. "He went about things the right way. What I have to do now is help him as much as I can and move on."
It is unclear when Williams informed Davie of his final decision. Davie was unavailable for comment on Sunday.
"This is definitely a big loss," Davie told The Associated Press. "He's one of the most important, if not the most important, players we were counting on next season."
Williams's departure leaves a large void at cornerback. Shane Walton, Jason Beckstrom, Clifford Jefferson, Vontez Duff and Preston Jackson will compete for the starting positions for next season.
Williams recorded 49 tackles during the 2000 season. His best game of the year came against USC, when the cornerback broke up five passes.
Williams sat out the entire 1999 season after being suspended for disciplinary reasons. Due to the suspension, Williams could have applied for a fifth year of eligibility. To date, none of the seniors have officially been granted an extra year of eligibility, according to assistant athletic director and sports information director John Heisler.
All Sports Stories for Monday, January 22, 2001
