Williams drafted by Dallas CowboysJason Williams on the phone

Highest draft pick in WIU history

By Jason Kaufman MS ‘99

Western Illinois senior Leatherneck Jason Williams became the top draft pick in WIU history when the Dallas Cowboys picked him with their first selection in the 2009 NFL Draft April 26.

Williams was the fifth player selected in the third round and the 69th pick overall, just 30 minutes after the draft round started. On April 25, Dallas traded its second-round pick to the Buffalo Bills, leaving the Cowboys without a pick in the first and second rounds.

Fifteen minutes after Williams arrived at Chick’s on the Square in Macomb—where about 50 fans and family members were gathered to watch the draft—he received a phone call from Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. Moments later, Williams’ name was announced by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on the podium in New York City.
Williams was the first Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) player selected in the draft, the first linebacker taken on day two and the fifth outside linebacker taken overall in the draft.

Most draft experts listed Williams at best a late third-round pick, behind three other FCS players, and some had him listed as late as the sixth round.

“Through the whole process I’d heard there was an outside chance I would be taken early in the third round,” said Williams. “I wasn’t sure how early, but I was hoping it would be in the first half. Of all my visits, Dallas was one of my favorites, my top visit. Dallas was one of the top three teams that showed me the most interest, but I didn’t know for sure how interested they were.

“Words can’t explain (the feeling this morning). I was just waiting to get a phone call from an area code I didn’t know. As soon as I picked it up and he said it was Jerry Jones I thought it was my agent playing around with me. Once I recognized him my heart jumped into my throat.”

New Orleans Saints sign Herb Donaldson
Former Western Illinois University running back Herb Donaldson ‘08 signed an undrafted free agent contract with the New Orleans Saints on April 27. Donaldson, who led all of Division I in both rushing and scoring last season had offers from several teams before deciding on the Saints.

“I hadn’t heard from New Orleans at all leading up to the draft,” said Donaldson. “I am just happy to have an opportunity at the next level and New Orleans looks like they offer the best opportunity for me.”

Leathernecks in the NFL Draft
Jason Williams is the 34th Leatherneck to have been selected in the NFL Draft, and the 29th under the league’s current format. The Leathernecks did have a first-round draft pick (Leroy Jackson) is 1962, but Williams is now the school’s highest pick in the modern era. Don Greco ‘87 was the No. 72 pick in the third round of the 1981 draft.

Photo: Williams receives the phone call from Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones.

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