Maxx Williams knew he would hear his name called in this weekend's NFL Draft. He just wasn't sure which round.
As it turns out, Williams is a second-rounder.
The former University of Minnesota tight end was taken 55th overall on Friday, by the Baltimore Ravens.
The 6-foot-4, 250-pound Williams led the Gophers in receptions (36), receiving yards (569) and touchdown catches (8). He was named the Big Ten Tight End of the Year and also earned First-Team All-American honors.
Williams announced after his redshirt sophomore season that he would be leaving Minnesota to turn pro, following in the footsteps of his father, Brian, a former offensive lineman with the New York Giants. Brian Williams, who also played for the Gophers, was a first-round pick back in 1989.
Williams, who watched the draft at home in Waconia, Minn., with his friends and family, was the first Gophers player taken in this year's draft. Minnesota had two players taken last year: defensive tackle Ra'Shede Hageman and safety Brock Vereen. Before the draft, Williams said he had talked to both Hageman and Vereen on what to expect during the draft weekend.
"They just said, 'Take it for what it is. Your name's going to get called. It's just a matter of when,'" Williams said. "'Take the opportunity and make the most of it.'"
Now he'll get his opportunity in the NFL.
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