Cal Cornerback Nohl Williams Drafted in Third Round by KC Chiefs

UPDATED

Cal cornerback Nohl Williams was chosen by the Kansas City Chiefs in the third round of the NFL Draft on Friday, the first Golden Bears player selected this weekend.

Williams, who led the nation with seven interceptions last fall, was the 85th overall pick. The Chiefs traded up 10 spots with the New England Patriots to obtain the No. 85 pick.

He becomes the 17th Cal defensive back drafted since 2000. The Golden Bears have had at least one DB taken in the past six NFL Drafts.

Chiefs senior director of player personnel Mike Bradway told the Kansas City Star on Friday night the team made the trade, sending the 95th pick and a fourth-round selection in 2026, because Williams was a player “that we had relatively high on the board.”

”There was kind of a run on those corners in Round 3, and a lot of those guys were nickels that could play inside, but maybe were not outside guys,” Bradway said. “Nohl was a guy that, because of his versatility, we thought there could be a drop-off after him. So in that case, a guy like that at a premium position, I think it’s worth making that kind of move.”

Williams told reporters he had a productive Zoom meeting with the Chiefs prior to the draft and was excited to be part of the team.

“When I got the call, it was kind of surreal. I didn’t know if it was going to be my time,” he said. “When I got the call . . . they just said they’re excited for me. They traded up to get me, so that’s how I know they wanted me. I’m just blessed to be a Chief.”

Williams said he’s ready to transition to the next level.

“How I’m going to translate to the pros, I feel like I’ve got to learn from guys like Trent McDuffie, other guys in the room, for sure,” he said, referencing the Chiefs’ star fourth-year corner. “Come to work every day and just keep honing my skills, keep perfecting my craft.”

Williams described himself as “a physical corner” who takes pride in his tackling. “I can do it all,” he said.

A 6-foot-1, 200-pounder, a native of Oxnard, California, Williams came to Cal two years ago from UNLV. He completed his college eligibility with 14 career interceptions, with his seven in 2024 the most by a Cal player since 2006.

Williams earned first-team All-ACC and consensus All-America honors this season.

SI's Matt Venderame, in his grading of all second- and third-round draft picks, gave the Chiefs a B+ for their selection of Williams.

Williams has adequate speed for an NFL cornerback, having clocked 4.50 seconds in the 40-yard dash at the NFL combine. But he has a proven nose for the ball, and his 19 bench-press reps of 225 pounds were second-best among cornerbacks who tested at the combine.

At least two more Golden Bears’ defensive players — linebacker Teddye Buchanan and safety Craig Woodson — are expected to be drafted on Saturday, when the fourth through seventh rounds are conducted.

Two others, cornerback Craig Harris and defensive end Xavier Carlton, also are hoping to draw the attention of NFL teams.

Williams was the 11th cornerback drafted this week. Three went in the first round, including two-way star Travis Hunter of Colorado, chosen No. 2 overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars.

CORNERBACKS CHOSEN IN 2025 DRAFT

First round

2. Travis Hunter (Colorado) to Jacksonville Jaguars

20. Jahdae Barron (Texas) to Denver Broncos

30. Maxwell Hairston (Kentucky) to Buffalo Bills

Second round

47. Will Johnson (Michigan) to Arizona Cardinals

53. Benjamin Morrison (Notre Dame) to Tampa Bay Buccaneers

61. Trey Amos (Mississippi) to Washington Commanders

Third round

68. Darien Porter (Iowa State) to Las Vegas Raiders

73. Azareye’h Thomas (Florida State) to New York Jets

76. Shavon Revel Jr. (East Carolina) to Dallas Cowboys

80. Justin Walley (Minnesota) to Indianapolis Colts

85. Nohl Williams (Cal) to Kansas City Chiefs

CAL DEFENSIVE BACKS CHOSEN IN NFL DRAFT

(Since 2000)

2025: Nohl Williams, third round to Kansas City Chiefs

2024: Patrick McMorris, sixth round to Miami Dolphins

2023: Daniel Scott, fifth round to Indianapolis Colts

2022: Elijah Hicks, seventh round to Chicago Bears

2021: Camryn Bynum, fourth round to Minnesota Vikings

2020: Ashtyn Davis, third round to New York Jets

2020: Jaylinn Hawkins, fourth round to Atlanta Falcons

2013: Steve Williams, fifth round to San Diego Chargers

2013: Marc Anthony, seventh round to Baltimore Ravens

2012: D.J. Campbell, seventh round to Carolina Panthers

2011: Chris Conte, third round to Chicago Bears

2010: Syd’Quan Thompson, seventh round to Denver Broncos

2008: Thomas DeCoud, third round to Atlanta Falcons

2007: Daymeion Hughes, third round to Indianapolis Colts

2005: Matt Giordano, fourth round to Indianapolis Colts

2003: Nnamdi Asomugha, first round to Oakland Raiders

2000: Deltha O’Neal, first round to Denver Broncos