Williams, Conley headed to NFL

Sunday afternoon Idaho senior tightend EDDIE WILLIAMS, a First Team All-WAC tightend last season, was selected in the 7th round of the NFL draft by the Washington Redskins. Shortly after the draft ended, Idaho senior punter T.J. CONLEY, an All-American (AP, ESPN, Walter Camp, and Sporting News) and First Team All-WAC selection, signed a free agent contract with the New York Jets.

Below is an official press-release provided this afternoon from the University of Idaho Sports Information Department.


Like a lot of college football seniors, Eddie Williams spent large portions of the weekend watching the NFL draft on TV. Sunday afternoon, his watching was interrupted by his agent calling and asking if he wanted to move to Washington, D.C. Next thing he knew, his name was announced by the Redskins.

"Anyone who's played football thinks about playing in the NFL," said Williams, Idaho's durable, gutsy h-back who led the Vandals in receiving last season with 54 catches for 687 yards. "I wasn't really surprised. It was pretty consistent with what I was hearing."

Williams played as a true freshman and by the time he was a junior had solidified his role as a dependable receiver and effective blocker. He finished his career with 100 receptions for 1205 yards. He is a graduate of Aragon High School at San Mateo, Calif.

Punter T.J. Conley, from DeSales High School at Walla Walla, Wash., agreed to a free agent contract with the New York Jets. Conley led the nation in punting in 2008 with an average of 474 yards per kick. He was a first team Walter Camp, ESPN and Sporting News All-American as well as a second-team Associated Press All-American and first-team all-Western Athletic Conference.