Everything Chiefs fans need to know about KC's Round 3 pick California CB Nohl Williams

[ASFN Admin]

Kansas City Chiefs general manager Brett Veach is an expert at evaluating defensive backs and may have found a gem in Carolina Golden Bears star Nohl Williams in Round 3 of the 2025 NFL draft last week.

Williams is an exciting ball-hawk who should prove to be worth the modest trade-up that was required for the Chiefs to select him with the No. 85 pick.

With Williams in the mix next season, Kansas City's defense should have more flexibility to play star cornerback Trent McDuffie more in the slot than the boundary, where the former Golden Bear tends to thrive.

Check out everything the Chiefs had to say about Williams in their official draft packet:

Nohl Williams college bio​

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"Spent two seasons at Cal (2023-24)… Registered 52 tackles (33 solo), seven interceptions, nine passes defensed, one tackle for loss and one forced fumble in 2024… His seven interceptions led the country… Consensus All-American… Chuck Bednarik Semifinalist… Jim Thorpe Award Semifinalist… Started all 13 games in 2023… Recorded 52 tackles, three tackles for loss, two interceptions, three passes defensed, two fumble recoveries and four defensive touchdowns… Spent three seasons at UNLV (2020-22)… A three-year starter who played in 26 games (24 starts) and recorded 98 tackles, one tackle for loss, five interceptions, 10 passes defensed, one forced fumbleand two fumble recoveries… Also contributed on special teams returning 14 kicks for 294 yards and 11 punts for 74 yards… Earned honorable mention All-Mountain West Conference honors… Was a second-team All-MWC pick of Mountain Wire."

Nohl Williams personal notes​

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• A two-way player on offense and defense.
• Helped Pacifica High School (Calif.) to its first ever state and Southern Section titles on the way to a 15-1 overall record.
• Three star prospect according to 247Sports, ESPN and On3 Consenus.

Nohl Williams draft notes​

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• Kansas City has selected eight cornerbacks in the third round with the addition of Williams. Priorto his selection, the franchise drafted CB KeiVarae Russell (2016, Notre Dame), CB StevenNelson (2015, Oregon State), CB Phillip Gaines (2014, Rice), CB Julian Battle (2003, Tennessee),CB Garcia Lane (1984, Ohio State), CB Albert Lewis (1983, Grambling) and CB David Hadley(1970, Alcorn A&M) in the third round.
• The selection of Williams marks the first time the Chiefs have drafted a defensive player in thethird round since the selection of LB Leo Chenal out of Wisconsin with the 103rd overall pick inthe 2022 NFL Draft.
• Williams was the sixth cornerback taken in the third round and the 12th cornerback takenoverall in the 2025 NFL Draft.
• Williams is the first player to be selected out of California in the 2025 NFL Draft.
• Williams is the only former California Golden Bear on the current Chiefs roster.

What did Williams have to say after the Chiefs drafted him?​

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Q: How was your process with the Chiefs?

WILLIAMS: “The process with the Chiefs – I had a great Zoom meeting with them during this process. Ithink I had a couple of informal (meetings) with their regional scouts and all that good stuff. I felt like theZoom meeting went really well, and throughout the process just staying patient. I felt like there was agood chance of me getting drafted – but to the Chiefs, it wasn’t in my mind. I’m just happy to be a Chiefnow.”

Q: You led the nation in interceptions – where do your ballhawk abilities come from, and how can thattranslate to the pros?

WILLIAMS: “It comes from being consistent on the jugs and continuing to practice my ball skills in practiceand trying to translate it on the field. Just making sure my eyes are on the right spots, my feet are niceand clean and tight. How am I going to translate that to the pros? I feel like I have to learn from guys likeTrent McDuffie (and) other guys in the room, for sure, and just come to work every day and keep honingmy craft, keep perfecting my craft.”

Q: What was the moment like when you got the call and what was said to you as you were welcomed toKansas City?

WILLIAMS: “When I got the call – I was just waiting – kind of felt surreal. I didn’t know if it was going tobe my actual time. I answered the call, and it was the coaching staff, the GM, the owner. They just saidthey’re excited for me and that they traded up to get me, so, that’s how I know they wanted me. I’m justblessed to be a Chief.”

This article originally appeared on Chiefs Wire: 2025 NFL draft: Everything to know about Chiefs' new CB Nohl Williams

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