Josh Butler
Sports Writer
jobutler@valdosta.edu
The NFL Draft can be seen as two different things at the same time.  One would be the beginning of the NFL season and the other is the end of the college season.  Most sports fans at Valdosta State may be more inclined to ponder on teams on which Knowshon Moreno or Mathew Stafford might be ending up.  While that might be the attention grabber for the rest of the country  the students of VSU needs to get behind T.J. Williams.  Williams is a Wide Receiver for the Blazers declared himself eligible for the draft this year.
Since 1990 there have only been three players from Valdosta State to be drafted into the NFL.  In 1990, defensive end Robert Morris went to the Seattle Seahawks in the 10th round.  In 1993, the Seahawks also drafted defensive end Antonio Edwards in round 8.  The earliest to be drafted was linebacker Artie Ulmer to the Minnesota Vikings in the 7th round in 1997.
Most recently in the NFL is cornerback Maurice Leggett of the Kansas City Chiefs.  Leggett had 37 tackles, and returned his only interception for a touchdown against the Denver Broncos last season.  Leggett believes the biggest adjustment from playing in the NFL over college is the effort put into it.
“Work ethic, working hard when nobody is looking at you and doing it on your personnel time,” Leggett said. “And the mental aspect you have to think a lot more, but not outthink yourself and believe in yourself.”
Former Blazer Richard Collier, linemen for VSU back in 2004-05, made a name for himself with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2007.  He played in four games that season and was practicing hard and standing out.  On September 2, 2008, Collier was shot outside of an apartment complex in Jacksonville.  “The news was one of total shock and sadness,” said VSU head football coach David Dean.  Dean was Collier’s offensive coordinator.
Williams was an outstanding wide receiver for Valdosta State last year.  As of right now, ESPN listed him as the 92nd best wide receiver in the draft.  Williams, as well as the rest of us, can only wait and see if T.J. Williams will become another Blazer in the NFL.