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Well, this is an interesting way to start draft week.
The Las Vegas Raiders announced on Monday afternoon that they have signed Carson Williams as a tight end. Williams hasn’t played football since the 8th grade. He was a college basketball player at Northern Kentucky (2016-17) and Western Kentucky (2018-2020).
At is 6’5 and 240 pounds, Williams was a forward in basketball and started 117 college games. He was Kentucky’s High School Mr. Basketball (that’s a big deal) in 2016.
Williams recently dedicated himself to becoming a football prospect and put together a strong performance at Western Kentucky’s Pro Day.
Welcome to the TSEG Family & congrats to @WKUBasketball former star Forward & CURRENT 2021 NFL TE/OL Draft Prospect, @Cwilli2332. Carson put down the basketball to pursue his @nfl dreams with an amazing debut at yesterday’s @wkufootball Pro Day! Well done, Carson! #NFL #TSEG pic.twitter.com/bjrdWjpKog
— TheSportsEntGroup (@TheSportsEntGrp) April 2, 2021
It caught the attention of those in the scouting community.
Looking for a super sleeper?
— Tony Pauline (@TonyPauline) April 1, 2021
Western Kentucky basketball player Carson Williams pro-day numbers:
6044/254lbs
38 vert
9-7 broad
18 bench
40- mid 4.7's with a bad hamstring.
Teams looking at him as a developmental TE or O-lineman.
Williams isn’t the first college basketball player who transitioned to the gridiron and played tight end. It has happened several times in the past and often those players have stuck around. The most famous college hoopster-turned-tight end of course is former Chargers star Antonio Gates, who will likely end up in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Clearly Williams is a stud athlete. So, why not? His best bet for 2021 is likely to make the practice squad and continue to work on his football skills. It will be fun to see his development.
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