USC’s Leonard Williams eager to be selected in first round of NFL draft
Defensive lineman Leonard Williams talks about life after the NFL scouting combine Wednesday at USC’s pro day.
A USC player has not been selected in the first round of the NFL draft since 2012.
That will almost certainly change this year when defensive lineman Leonard Williams, who is regarded as a possible top-five pick, is chosen. Williams would become the first first-round pick from USC since offensive lineman Matt Kalil.
“I’m just really looking forward to being a first-rounder,” Williams said Wednesday after participating in USC’s pro day workout for scouts. “ ‘SC hasn’t had a first-rounder in a while. That’s out of the ordinary for ‘SC, but we’re going to be back on top soon.”
Williams participated in the NFL scouting combine last month, so he chose only to go through position drills Wednesday.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have the first pick in the draft and the Tennessee Titans pick second.
The Buccaneers are in need of a quarterback and could be targeting Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston. The Titans have been in contact with Williams.
Giff Smith, the Titans’ defensive line coach, oversaw some drills Wednesday.
“I’ve talked with Tennessee a lot,” Williams said. “Tampa not as much.”
Williams said he had a visit scheduled with the Titans on April 3.
Follow Gary Klein on Twitter @LATimesKlein
Go beyond the scoreboard
Get the latest on L.A.'s teams in the daily Sports Report newsletter.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
