Leonard Williams had a message for teams that may pass on him during the upcoming NFL Draft: "If you take a quarterback over me I'm going to hurt him," Williams said with a loud laugh. He followed that up by saying he was "joking."
Perhaps a joke, but maybe it should be taking into consideration by prospective NFL general managers.
A projected top-five pick, a part of Williams' job description will be to get to the quarterback.
Those pass rushing skills were on display as he went through drills Wednesday at USC Pro Day. Williams looked impressive for the approximate 15-minute session.
"He's the real deal," one NFL personnel member at USC's Pro Day said, speaking on the condition of anonymity.
It was more of an easy going experience for Williams than going through the combine.
He was put through position drills by a Tennessee Titans staff member whom Williams says he's developed a good relationship with during this pre-draft process. Interestingly enough, the Titans have the No. 2 pick in the upcoming draft.
Tennessee could be in the mix for a quarterback, especially in light of Jake Locker's retirement announcement. But Williams could certainly be in play.
Tampa Bay is expected to take a quarterback with the No. 1 overall pick. And then there's Jacksonville who owns the No. 3 pick.
Williams was asked about the potential of playing for the Jaguars, which would be a homecoming of sorts for the Florida native. The Jaguars, however, don't have a pressing need along the defensive line.
"I think it would be awesome to go back to Florida," Williams said. "Being in California for the last three years I've only been able to visit home once a year, so I haven't been around family much."
Another Florida native who had eyes on him was Nelson Agholor. Although invited to the NFL Combine, he was pulled from drill work after sustaining what was reported as a dislocated finger.
There were no restrictions for him Wednesday, and he was pleased with his performance.
"I competed really well in all aspects," Agholor said. "It's a fun deal. It really is. You find out who you are as a player and a person."
Fellow wide receiver George Farmer had plenty of eyes on him, too, and he turned heads by running a 4.35 electronic 40-yard dash. It should be noted electronic times are slower than hand times gathered by scouts.
Farmer was making his first public appearance since declaring for the NFL Draft. He was "pretty satisfied" with his results.
"I just felt like it was an opportunity for me to move on being that I'm healthy and feeling strong being at my strongest point at the time (I declared for the draft)," Farmer said of deciding to forego his final year of eligibility.
Other notables to participate in USC Pro Day: Buck Allen, Hayes Pullard, J.R. Tavai, Aundrey Walker, Gerald Bowman, former USC defensive backs Patrick Hall and D.J. Morgan and Chris Willson, who is currently awaiting a ruling from the NCAA on a sixth year of eligibility.
Willson participated in quarterback drills Wednesday. He spent the last two seasons playing tight end for the Trojans.
