The USC sophomore and Plant product says the time is now to take a shot at the NFL.
By Associated Press
Published February 26, 2004
LOS ANGELES - Mike Williams is passing up a possible shot at the Heisman Trophy for the NFL.
The Southern Cal receiver became the first sophomore to opt for the NFL draft since the Maurice Clarett court ruling, announcing his decision Wednesday.
Williams, a 6-foot-5, 230-pounder who was a standout at Plant, leaves with two years of eligibility remaining for the defending national champion Trojans.
"It was a very, very, very difficult decision," Williams said on a conference call from his home in Tampa. "This is my opportunity. A lot of great opportunities don't come along in life to do great things.
"A lifelong goal of mine is to play in the NFL. I've always had the dream of playing the game at the highest level. My love for the university alone was enough to stay."
Instead, Williams is expected to be selected high in the first round of April's draft instead of competing for the Heisman Trophy as a top player for the Trojans.
"He'll be a high pick. There's no question about it," said Gil Brandt, the NFL's chief scouting consultant.
Williams, an All-American who turned 20 last month, said after USC beat Michigan in the Rose Bowl he planned to stay in school.
Then came the Clarett ruling.
Clarett was suspended last season after starring at Ohio State as a freshman. He challenged an NFL rule preventing players less than three years out of high school from entering the draft, and a federal judge ruled in his favor.
Williams is one of several standout wideouts available with Pittsburgh's Larry Fitzgerald and Texas' Roy Williams. He figured to be alone at the top next year and said that played into his decision.
"This is a receiver-loaded draft," Williams said. "That's where the competition's at. I want to be where the competition is."
Williams said the cons probably outweighed the pros regarding the decision, but ultimately they weren't decisive.
"Most of the cons were financial ones, let's put it that way," he said. "Money wasn't the motive or the drive. If that was the case, I'd stay in school four years to maximize my potential.
"The possibility of winning the Heisman Trophy, the possibility of winning an undisputed national championship - I was really close to staying for all those reasons. At the same time, I have reasons of my own."
Williams finished sixth in Heisman balloting last season when he caught 95 passes for 1,314 yards and a school-record 16 touchdowns as the Trojans (12-1) won the Associated Press national championship.
Williams had 81 catches for 1,265 yards and 13 TDs from Heisman Trophy winner Carson Palmer as a freshman in 2002.
"Mike has made his decision that he wants to go to the NFL," USC coach Pete Carroll said in a statement. "We're disappointed to see him go. ... Mike had a terrific two years for us and we're anxious to watch him in the NFL."
The Trojans still should be loaded because the 2003 team featured several underclassmen. Quarterback Matt Leinart will be a junior and most of the deep corps of running backs will be sophomores. USC will lack experience at receiver without Williams. But Steve Smith showed potential as a freshman last season, and the Trojans have three highly regarded incoming freshmen.
2003: Finished sixth in the Heisman Trophy balloting. Named first-team Associated Press All-American and helped lead Trojans to a 12-1 record and the Associated Press national championship.
