Q. Hey, Milton, congratulations again. Welcome to Philadelphia. Can you kind of take us through the pre-draft process, how much interest the Eagles showed in you, and did you have any inclination that was coming?
MILTON WILLIAMS: So pre-draft process, no, I didn't have any inclination that this was coming. I talked to Eagles, I talked to a scout on the phone for about 30 minutes, and then about two week ago I talked to a defense line coach. We had a really good conversation.
I didn't talk to them as much as I talked to a couple other teams, but it all worked out in the end. I'm glad to be here.
Q. Do you remember who the scout was?
MILTON WILLIAMS: I do not. I done talked to a lot of people in the past couple months.
Q. Thank you.
MILTON WILLIAMS: I can't tell you.
Q. What do you know about the Eagles? What do you know about the city of Philadelphia? I know you've described yourself as a quiet, laid back guy. What do you get most excited about?
MILTON WILLIAMS: Football. Football is a big part of my life. Without football I don't know what I would be doing. Football is getting me excited. I know Philly is a big football town. You guys won a Super Bowl not too long ago, so I'm sure you ready to get back there.
Just ready to learn from some of the guys that you already got and the veterans like Fletcher Cox, Brandon Graham and Javon Hargrave and things like that. Just ready to come in there and give it my all.
Q. I think you were introduced as a defensive end; you're listed as a defensive tackle. Where do you fit on the defensive line? Where are you most comfortable?
MILTON WILLIAMS: I think I'll be most comfortable playing defensive tackle, but also having the versatility to play outside. Basically any position on the defensive line that the coaches would like to put me at I feel like I can be productive with the coaching and things like that.
So throughout my career in college, high school, I done played virtually every position on the defensive line, so just wherever they put me I'll be ready.
Q. You had these crazy workout numbers at your pro day. Did you know that you were going to test that well, and do you think you played to that explosiveness on the field?
MILTON WILLIAMS: Definitely. That was one of the reasons I decided to come out this year, because I knew I was going to be one of the most athletic defensive tackles in the draft class, and that's why I did the pro day, just to see what my numbers were going to look like about two weeks before the actually pro day.
And then in my pro day I did even better. It just shows off my work ethic and the things I'm willing to do to sacrifice for my team and give it everything.
Q. Are there things you can do athletically that surprise people like away from the football field, like dunking a basketball or anything like that?
MILTON WILLIAMS: Oh, I can dunk a basketball. I was dunking it in high school, but that's about it. (Laughter.)
Q. You played in a 3-4 defense in college; is that correct?
MILTON WILLIAMS: I played in a three man front and four man.
Q. How do you think you fit in the scheme the Eagles are going to run and where do you see yourself there?
MILTON WILLIAMS: I feel like I'll be on the edges on early downs with my strength and being able to hold point on the edge. But third down, obviously passing downs I feel like I'll bump inside and be able to be productive inside.
Like I said, in my college career I played under three defensive coordinators, so I done played in a three-man front, four-man front, and lined up all across, so I'm comfortable with every position.
I just need to know where I'm going to be and I'm ready to roll.
Q. My question to you is this: Some scouts said you're a three down defensive tackle. What is your strengths? Do you play the run very well or do you like the pass rush?
MILTON WILLIAMS: I think my strength would be playing the run game. Run game has always been one of my strengths since I got into college. Obviously the pass rush is something I can improve on. Obviously last year I really showcased that I was working on that in the off-season.
I really put that good film on tape for you guys to see, so I think the run game is one of my strengths right now.
Q. Welcome to Philly. Are there any defensive lineman that you try to emulate? If so, what are some of the skills you want to try to emulate?
MILTON WILLIAMS: Yeah, good question. I obviously guys like Aaron Donald, Fletcher Cox, JJ Watt, Myles Garrett, the list goes on. Just watching those guy, man, they got the full arsenal. They know everything there is to know about football. They got the explosive motor, they never stop. Strength, speed, they got the entire package.
If you're a team going against those guys, you got to make sure you account for them in you game plan or you're going to have a long day. I try to watch those guys a lot and bring a lot of their quickness and the IQ of the game and how they move and play certain blocks and bring that to my game.
Q. Congratulations. Lots of players in college football decided to opt out last season because of COVID. You didn't obviously. Wondered why? Also, how much you feel like that move probably paid off for you.
MILTON WILLIAMS: Just like I said, football is a big part my life. -- excuse me. I'm sorry.
Football is a big part of my life. Opting out was never even a question. I always want to be out there with my brothers. I knew in the back of my mind that I wanted to have a productive year so I can maybe think about coming out, so I was ready to go. COVID or not, I was ready to play every game.
And the bowl game, I wanted to play with my brothers the last time and then that's when I declared.
Q. What's is your favorite pass rush move?
MILTON WILLIAMS: I like stab club. I think I worked on that a lot in the off-season and I used it a lot in this past year, and I think it's one of my most effective moves that come to the Eagles.
I like I said, lineup for guys like Fletcher Cox, hoping to widen that arsenal a little bit.
Q. Just curious where you watch the draft, who you watched it with, what were the emotions like when you got the call?
MILTON WILLIAMS: Right now I'm back in Crowley, Texas in my home town just watching with my family. When I got the call it was a lot of emotion. A lot of -- talked to coach and I said, Man, ya'll got my crying like a baby. Just so excited and ready to be Eagle.
And the crazy thing is my high school mascot was the Eagles, so this is going to be my second time being an Eagle, and just ready to be a part of a great organization.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports