Alabama linebacker Tim Williams was arrested by the University of Alabama Police Department on a charge of carrying a pistol without a permit, the school has confirmed.
Williams was booked at 2:09 a.m. Thursday morning and released on a $300 bond, according to court records cited by The Tuscaloosa News. The charge is a misdemeanor.
"This kind of behavior is not condoned in our program," stated coach Nick Saban later on Thursday. "We are currently in the process of reviewing all of the information. Once we have a complete understanding of the situation, we will determine what we need to do in terms of the appropriate discipline."
UAPD officers approached Williams' vehicle in a Publix parking lot on University Blvd. in Tuscaloosa, smelled marijuana and searched the car, discovering marijuana and a Glock 41 pistol under the driver's seat, per the record obtained by the Tuscaloosa News. Williams was in the passenger seat and another man in the driver's seat claimed ownership of the marijuana, per the report. Williams claimed ownership of the gun, but could only produce a receipt for its purchase when asked for a permit, according to the report.
Williams tweeted the following Thursday morning:
Considered one of the top pass rushers in college football, Williams is a senior and thus will be eligible for the 2017 NFL Draft. NFL.com senior analyst Gil Brandt believes Williams could potentially be a first-round draft choice:
Williams made 10.5 sacks in a part-time role in 2015, but decided to return to Alabama for his senior year to prove himself as a better run stopper and every-down player. This season, he's made just 1.5 sacks through four games, with three quarterback hurries. NFL.com analyst Daniel Jeremiah has compared Williams' talent to the Detroit Lions' Ziggy Ansah, but also noted the need for improvement in defending the run.
Next spring, Williams will have to explain the incident to NFL personnel executives in pre-draft interviews, perhaps at the Reese's Senior Bowl and/or the NFL Scouting Combine. Williams is among eight Alabama players on the Senior Bowl watch list.
*Follow Chase Goodbread on Twitter **@ChaseGoodbread*.
