USC's Leonard Williams to enter NFL Draft: 'I feel like I'm ready'
Leonard Williams came to USC from Mainland High School in Daytona Beach and immediately established himself a dominant force along the Trjjans' defensive line.
After three years at USC, Williams has elected to forego his senior season and will enter the 2015 NFL Draft, he announced Monday in a statement.
"This was a very hard decision for me," Williams said. "I love USC, Coach Sark and the coaching staff, my teammates and the fans, and I love the game of college football. It's hard to leave all of that. I know life is never the same once you leave college.
"But I feel like it's the right time for me to go. I feel like I'm ready."
Williams is expected to be a top-five pick in the draft. His versatility is a key component that makes him extremely attractive to NFL scouts -- he an play on the interior or exterior of the defensive line.
Williams concludes his career at USC as a two-time first-team All-America selection. As a defensive end, he's the first Trojan to boast such accolades in over half a century. For his career, Williams recorded had 21 sacks and 36.5 tackles for loss.
In 2014, he led the Trojans with seven sacks and three forced fumbles. For his efforts, he was named team MVP, a moved that surprised Williams.
With Williams' departure, there will be a huge void left behind on an already thin USC defensive line. Antwaun Woods, Claude Pelon, Delvon Simmons, and Greg Townsend Jr. are expected to be the leaders of the group entering spring drills.
Here are @KevinCarden's best moments from #USC's win over @Huskers in the Holiday Bowl http://t.co/c1CNSPHMom pic.twitter.com/KKJfoY5Rc5
— FOX Sports West (@FoxSportsWest) December 29, 2014
Immediately following the USC's Holiday Bowl win, quarterback Cody Kessler announced he would be returning to school for his senior season.
Of the other notable draft eligible juniors, wide receiver Nelson Agholor has yet to make a decision saying he is still accumulating information.
Running back Buck Allen says he will discuss the matter with his family first when he returns to Florida and then will deliberate on a decision.
