Quinnen Williams starstruck meeting new Jets teammates

Quinnen Williams is the New York Jets’ top draft pick, but when he arrived for minicamp, he couldn’t help but react like a young fan meeting his favorite NFL players.

Williams was a dominant force in 2018 for Alabama, quickly going from little-known backup to arguably the best overall prospect in the 2019 NFL draft. He anchored one of the nation’s most disruptive defensive line units, helping lead the Crimson Tide to yet another appearance in the national title game.

But while he knows he has big expectations resting on his shoulders as the No. 3 overall pick, he’s still a young player who grew up watching NFL stars like running back Le’Veon Bell, safety Jamal Adams and defensive lineman Leonard Williams, all of whom are now his teammates in New York.

https://twitter.com/ESPNNFL/status/1126928891464093697

.@QuinnenWilliams knows he belongs, but he just can't get over meeting his favorite players ? pic.twitter.com/HqRXGCSwzE

— New York Jets (@nyjets) May 10, 2019

If it makes Williams feel any better, the feeling is evidently mutual with Bell:

that’s how I felt meeting youu yesterday bro ?? lets be great https://t.co/hbDjXdMmke

— Le'Veon Bell (@LeVeonBell) May 10, 2019

Part of Williams’ value as a prospect was his youth, as the redshirt sophomore made the early jump to the pros with two years of college eligibility still remaining. His flashes of dominance for the Crimson Tide last season gave just a small glimpse of what he can be capable of once he fully develops and maximizes his lofty potential.

Williams also isn’t too far removed from being just a kid who looks up to NFL players are heroes, something that’s incredibly obvious based on his reactions to meeting his new teammates this week. I’m sure he’ll quickly get the stars out of his eyes and earn his place alongside the league’s best as a dominant player in his own right.