Personnel Executive Doug Williams had four years of personal experience to contribute to the scouting of CB Lenny Williams
Though the Tampa Bay Buccaneers had a specific college scout assigned to the teams in the Southwestern Athletic Conference, they also had an ace in the hole when it came to a scouting report on Southern CB Lenny Williams.
Williams, the 2003 SWAC Defensive Player of the Year, had turned in many a great play under the watchful gaze of Bucs Personnel Executive Doug Williams (no relation), who until recently patrolled SWAC sidelines as head coach at Grambling.
With Doug Williams' blessing, the Bucs selected Lenny Williams with their third seventh-round pick on Sunday. The long-time SWAC star was the last of eight players drafted by Tampa Bay over the weekend.
"He has been a good football player for four years," said Doug Williams. "I've seen him for years down in New Orleans and he's always been solid. Probably one of the toughest kids we've had to go through (at Grambling) year-in and year-out, and a very smart kid. I think it's a great pick for us because Lenny Williams has a chance to come in here and compete and help with all phases of this team, on special teams and on defense."
Williams' player of the year award in '03 followed four straight all-conference selections. In 2003, he led the Jaguars in tackles (66), helping southern allow just 15.5 points and 204.4 yards per game.
Williams is just the second Southern player ever drafted by Tampa Bay. The first was also a cornerback, Jerry Wilson, a fourth-round pick in 1995. Wilson never played for the Bucs – he spent his rookie year on injured reserve – but he went on to a successful NFL career with the Miami Dolphins. Wilson is one of five Southern players who have appeared on the Bucs' regular season roster since 1976.
Of the eight men selected by Tampa Bay, only three are defensive players – Williams, third-round LB Marquis Cooper and fourth-round S Will Allen. The Bucs also picked up a pair of receivers, first-rounder Michael Clayton and seventh-rounder Mark Jones, a guard, fifth-rounder Jeb Terry, a tight end, sixth-rounder Nate Lawrie, and a fullback, seventh-rounder Casey Cramer.
