Williams led the Tar Heels with three interceptions in 2007, and had 57 tackles. He also recorded two tackles for loss and two pass breakups.
"It's a great honor and I thank God, my teammates and my coaches for
granting me the opportunity to win this award," says Williams. "I was able
to make the transition to defense this year and our coaches gave us great
game plans every week to put me in a position to make a plays."
Defensive back Charles Brown finished second in the defensive ROY voting, while quarterback T.J. Yates placed second for both Offensive Rookie of the Year and overall Rookie of the Year. DE Marvin Austin and LB Quan Sturdivant also received votes.
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
Josh Adams, RB, Wake Forest (51)
T.J. Yates, QB, North Carolina (12)
Tyrod Taylor, QB, Virginia Tech (5)
Marvin Austin, DE, North Carolina (1)
Graig Cooper, RB, Miami (1)
Deunta Williams, S, North Carolina (1)
OFFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
Josh Adams, RB, Wake Forest (52)
T.J. Yates, QB, North Carolina (12)
Tyrod Taylor, QB, Virginia Tech (5)
Graig Cooper, RB, Miami (2)
DEFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
Deunta Williams, S, North Carolina (48)
Charles Brown, CB, North Carolina (9)
Ras-I Dowling, DB, Virginia (5)
Morgan Burnett, DB, Georgia Tech (3)
Marvin Austin, DE, North Carolina (2)
Markus Kuhn, DE, N.C. State (2)
DeAndre McDaniel, S, Clemson (1)
Quan Sturdivant, LB, North Carolina (1)