Ole Miss EDGE Sam Williams describes feeling being drafted by Dallas Cowboys

Sam Williams was hopeful that he had done enough to impress the Dallas Cowboys in his pre-draft workouts and interviews. They had certainly left an impression on him, and the Ole Miss edge defender found himself wanting to play under defensive coordinator Dan Quinn at AT&T Stadium in 2022.

Ultimately, that dream became reality with the Cowboys selecting Williams No. 56 overall in the second round Friday.

“I told (Dan Quinn before the draft) I want to be a Cowboy,” Williams said according to The Athletic’s Jon Machota. “Being worked out by him was a huge honor … I told my agent (after my 30 visit) I don’t want to leave. I told them I’m gonna miss my plane on purpose b/c I don’t wanna leave.”

Williams’ best season came last year, as he tallied 12.5 sacks — a school record — with 16 tackles for a loss and forcing four fumbles. He left Ole Miss with third-team AP All-American and first-team All-SEC honors.

Williams was a former four-star recruit according to the On3 Consensus rankings, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average. His path to Ole Miss came through the JUCO level, as he was one of the highest rated junior college prospects in 2019. He received first-team JUCO All-American honors at Northeast Mississippi Community College with 17.5 sacks — a talent that came with him to the Rebels.

Sam Williams addresses sexual battery case from his past

The Dallas Cowboys spent their second-round draft pick on Ole Miss defensive end Sam Williams, someone defensive coordinator Dan Quinn has been eyeing. However, it’s viewed as a risky pick due to some off-the-field issues Williams went through while still in college.

Williams was arrested and charged with a felony charge of sexual battery, seeing him suspended from the Rebels during the 2020 season. He addressed the situation when speaking to the Dallas media on Friday, saying it’s a new life and he is hoping to move forward.

“Obviously I didn’t do anything,” Williams said. Now, it’s a new life, just a new start for me. That’s what I’m looking forward to the most, a new start in a new area with great coaches, great teammates and my family.”