| Two UI players' NFL dreams come true |
|
|
| Written by Scott Stone - Argonaut | ||||||
| Thursday, 30 April 2009 | ||||||
|
 Vandal H-back, Eddie Williams, runs for extra yards after a catch during practice on the SprinTurf during the 2008 fall season. Williams was drafted in the seventh round by the Washington Redskins as the 221st overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft. Nick Groff/Argonaut
With the 221st pick of the 2009 NFL Draft, the Washington Redskins picked Eddie Williams from the University of Idaho. Williams now has a lot of work ahead of him before making it on the roster, so he said he didn’t make a big deal out of being drafted. “I had some family and friends over,” he said. “It wasn’t too many people, maybe four or five of us just hanging out. I didn’t want to make a big deal out of it. I figure if I make the roster, I’ll have a roster party. That would be more appropriate.” Williams still had to finish classes this week before heading to Washington, D.C., yesterday for minicamp. He said it really hasn’t sunk in what just happened, but once he gets there and sees that it’s real, he said he thinks it will be a reality. “I don’t think it has fully hit me, the vastness of the situation,” he said. “Once you actually go to Washington, D.C., the capital of the country, and actually see some of the buildings and meet the owners and players — there’s a lot that goes into this thing, and it’s kind of hard to really understand it right now, but when I get there this Thursday it will really hit me I think.” Williams will spend the weekend with the Redskins before returning to Moscow for a couple weeks to finish classes and graduate before making Washington, D.C., his home. Williams said he didn’t know anyone there except President Barack Obama, but a familiar face won’t be far away. Idaho punter T.J. Conley will also take a shot at the NFL this year. Conley signed a free agent deal with the New York Jets where he said he’ll have to beat out another free agent to earn the starting position. Conley’s family was in town watching the draft together when he got the call. “A couple picks before the end of the draft, the Jets special teams coach called me and told me he knew it wasn’t the end of the draft yet, and there was still an opportunity for teams to draft me,” Conley said. “He just wanted to let me know that they definitely wanted me to be a Jet, and I went ahead and told him right there I would agree to it and I want to be a Jet too. I think that was definitely the best opportunity for me. It’s a great place for me to be as far as the depth chart, and being able to beat out the guy they have.” Conley said his mom immediately popped open the champagne and pulled out the homemade apple pie. Conley also left yesterday and will spend the weekend at minicamp and then return to finish school before he makes the move to New York.  Add as favorites (52) | Views: 933
Write Comment
|
||||||
