Williams misses draft, but not NFL

By David Williams
Published in Sports on April 26, 2004 1:56 PM

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Quintin Williams did not get drafed by the NFL over the weekend.

But Quintin Williams will get his dream shot at a pro football career.

Williams, the Rosewood High graduate and standout safety at Wake Forest, spent Sunday watching the draft on television with friends. Williams was waiting and hoping that his name would be called out and his phone would ring, with an NFL team official on the other end asking him to be a part of their world.

But that did not happen.

"I was dissapointed," Williams said. But I wasn't down. I knew there was free agency."

And there was interest, as well. Williams said by the time the draft was over, he had offers from 10 different NFL teams to join them as a free agent.

The young man who had hoped for one team to want him was now about to choose from 10 teams.

His choice -- the Miami Dolphins.

I love their defense," Williams said. "I's a good situation. Their strong safeties, Sammy Knight and Arturo Freeman, are very talented and I can learn a lot from them."

Williams will fly to Miami on Thursday to attend a three-day minicamp and sign a contract with Miami. He will still have to make the team in the late summer, but Williams is ready for the challenge of his life.

He will be looking to impress Dolphins head coach Dave Wannstedt, defensive coordinator Jim Bates and secondary coach Mel Phillips.

"I think I can go in and contribute immediately," Williams said, "on special teams, at least."

Williams said he would be guided by the same drive and work ethic that has seen him throrugh all of his football career.

"This is a dream come true, the opportunity of a lifetime," he said, "I have to thank God."