Sam Williams details unique relationship with Cowboys coaches

Former Ole Miss defensive end Sam Williams was selected in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys. While Williams is joining a new team as he begins his NFL career, he already has a sense of familiarity with the Cowboys coaching staff.

Williams specifically mentioned Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn as someone he has a close relationship with already. When he visited the team before the draft, he joked that he should miss his flight so he never has to leave. That kind of feeling and relationship is something that Williams loves about the Cowboys.

“I mean every coach I encounter, like if it was like that, I mean I hope so,” Williams said. “But DQ and AD and all the other guys, it’s just different. Like when I came here, I told him I was gonna miss my flight on purpose so I won’t have to leave. It’s just a connection that I can’t explain. Like today, I had fun today and coaches pumping us up, they’re teaching us and pumping us up at the same time. You can’t ask for anything better than that.”

Williams’ relationship with Quinn has grown quickly, and that has helped him get accustomed to the NFL level of play. Even though he hasn’t played for the team before, he feels like he’s been around for a while already.

“It’s just like we’ve known each other for like years I feel like, because every time I see him it’s like, ‘What up DQ, what up Sam,'” said Williams. “It’s all love. Like I just feel like it’s with all the coaches actually. Like I’ve been here before but I haven’t.”

Williams also has a good relationship with Cowboys owner Jerry Jones

Throughout the pre-draft process, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones was somebody that Williams talked to a lot. The two had multiple conversations throughout the process, but their talks went well beyond the game of football, adding another level of comfort for Williams.

“I met him at the All-American campaign, that was the first like meeting we actually had face-to-face,” Williams said. “We just talked, like he just talked to me about life. And then I came up here for a top 30 and it was just more talking. I think we spent 30 minutes in there, just talking. Not even about football, just about life and like things we want in life. I mean he’s a great guy, I look up to him. Older guy, he’s someone I wouldn’t mind trading places with. But he’s a great guy. I mean I believe he’s in my corner. He gave me a chance, and I’m gonna take that chance and run with it.”

Williams is coming off of a strong year for the Rebels, as he broke out with 57 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 12.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery.