Name: Kyle Williams
School: University of Connecticut
Position: DB
Height: 5’8”
Weight: 185

Q: What goals did you set and/or accomplish in your final collegiate season?

The goals I set out for myself to accomplish was to have my team make a bowl and have a winning record because it has been a long time since UConn was in a bowl and was above .500. I also wanted everyone on the team to be prepared each week no matter their position and spot on the depth chart. Personal goals I had for myself was to enjoy every game week and not have a single regret about my play. I wanted to show I was a willing tackler and showed the ability to guard the opponents wide receivers man to man no matter their size. While also displaying pattern recognition in zone coverage as well. 

Q: How do you think you took advantage of the extra year of eligibility to increase your chances of going pro?

I took advantage of this extra year by working on my weakness through lifting, running, and working on my flexibility. With our school not playing in 2020, I was able to strengthen areas I was lacking. I wanted to work on being more explosive in all areas I was doing. Doing that I felt it allowed me to play faster on the field. I also used the time to watch more film on future opponents by watching them live and watching the film version of the games. Then I would watch my own film to see where I need improvement and what I need to work to have the edge on my opponents.

Q: What would your coaches and teammates say about the type of player you are?

I think my coaches will say I am a hard worker and I have the ability to make a difference in a lot of different ways. Being a student of the game is the most important thing to me and knowing everything that comes with playing defensive back in different schemes. I have had different head coaches and position coaches during my collegetic career. They would say I am a person who is willing to put my all to be on the field and be productive on the field as well. They would also say I am a helpful and genuine person because I enjoy helping my teammates learn the playbook and give additional advice that would make them better players. My teammates would say I like to laugh and joke around during our down time and I am always in good spirits no matter what is happening.

Q: When you are studying film, what are the things you focus on to improve your game?

To improve my game I used film, a tool that can give me information of what the offense is doing. First I would breakdown formation tendencies because those give the biggest clues to if it is a run or pass. Knowing that I would then look at down and distance to eliminate certain plays from a team’s playbook. Gathering the information on the offense scheme makes learning the quirks and habits of a wide receiver easier. For wide receivers specifically I would look at the splits they take whether it’s closer to the line of scrimmage or further away. Then I would look at the tempo they come out when running routes. Recognizing those things about offenses and wide receivers has allowed me to focus on certain techniques in the off-season so I am better adequate to guard the route concepts. 

Q: What separates you from the other pro prospects at your position?

What separates me and other defensive backs in this draft and my IQ and play recognition. I think I am better than other defensive players when it comes to knowing what an offense is giving me and how they want to attack me. I feel I would have a good grasp of a defense as should after a few days of camp. And I want to know more about football so I am willing to spend extra time watching film with coaches and doing drills with coaches so I am ready for when my name is called.

Q: What is your offseason plan to train and prepare for professional opportunities?

My current offseason plan right now is training for my Pro day and showing teams I am physically capable of playing at the next level. I am working on my agility and linear speed so I can guard the fastest wide receivers and be able to change direction with ease and without any hitches. I am also spending time watching NFL films on players I think I can model my game after.

Q: What kind of strengths and abilities will you bring to a team that will stand out both on and off the field?

My strengths as a player are my change of direction and my willingness to play special teams. I think my ability to be a hard worker on a constant basis will show by how my peers speak of me and how the film will look at the end of each practice and game. In college I graduated with a Human Development and Family Studies major and spent a year and half of graduate school for social work. I wanted to pursue those majors because I like learning about people and how I can better be off service to them. That means working directly with the community of the city I play by reading to children and helping adults find jobs to help provide for their families.

Q: What is your final pitch to the NFL and any other pro leagues?

I think a team should want me to be part of their organization because I bring a hard worker trait and I am willing to earn everything that is given to me. I spent a couple years in college as a walk-on because I eventually earned a scholarship and the ability to start games. I have no issues being at the bottom of a depth chart because I feel I will still be useful and that eventually I will be on top.