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Trill Williams went undrafted on the third day of the NFL draft on Saturday but signed with the New Orleans Saints as a free agent. Former Syracuse defensive backs Andre Cisco and Ifeatu Melifonwu were previously taken with the 65th and 101st picks, respectively. 

Williams was the least-discussed SU prospect of the trio, but scouts said that he typically played out of position at Syracuse, lining up at nickelback instead of at free safety or cornerback. The 6-foot-2, 198-pound defensive back recorded 93 tackles and four interceptions at SU, two of which came against Clemson.

“I think he’s got so much upside,” the NFL Draft Bible’s Jack Borowsky said. “He can play the slot, he can play on the outside … He can play zone, he can play man. He’s so versatile.”

During the 2020 season, Williams typically started at free safety before he opted-out of Syracuse’s final four games to prepare for the draft. Over five games in 2020, Williams registered 24 total tackles and scored a touchdown against Georgia Tech in SU’s only win of the season on Sept. 26. 

“We all play this game with hopes of reaching the highest level, and now it’s my time to open that door,” Williams said in a tweet at the time of opting-out. 

The Yonkers, New York, native was a top-five recruit in New York state coming out of Archbishop Stepinac High School. In 2019, Williams’ three forced fumbles were 16th nationally and tied for second in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Punter Nolan Cooney, who had an All-American fifth-year season in 2020, was also undrafted on Saturday. Cooney was spotted working with the New Orleans Saints’ special teams coordinator at SU’s Pro Day in March.

Published on May 1, 2021 at 6:54 pm

Contact Connor: csmith49@syr.edu | @csmith17_