Maxx Williams had two years of eligibility left as a tight end for the Gophers, but most folks knew after a highlight-worthy hurdling touchdown in the Citrus Bowl that he was ready for the NFL.

On Friday, Williams heard his name called in the second round of the NFL draft. He was taken 55th overall by the Baltimore Ravens.

The Ravens moved up three spots in a trade with the Arizona Cardinals to take Williams. They gave up the 58th and 158th picks.

Tight end Dennis Pitta signed a five-year, $32 million contract with the Ravens before last season, but missed most of the season because of a hip injury that required surgery. Owen Daniels stepped in as the starting tight end, making 48 catches for 527 yards, but signed with Denver as a free agent in March.

The Ravens have made the AFC playoffs six of the past seven seasons, winning the Super Bowl following the 2012 season. They beat the Steelers 30-17 in the wild card round last season before blowing a 14-point lead twice and falling to eventual Super Bowl champion New England 35-31 in the divisional round.

"To get to go to a great team, everything I've ever worked for is finally coming true," Williams, 21, said by phone from his parents' home in Waconia. "For all my support, all my family to be here with me, it's unbelievable. I'm just looking forward to my opportunity and can't wait to get out there."

During his 25 games with the Gophers, tight end Maxx Williams (88) caught 61 passes for 986 yards and 13 touchdowns.

The draft is becoming a family tradition. Williams' paternal grandfather, Dr. Bob Williams, played quarterback at Notre Dame and was drafted by the Bears in 1959 in the 28th round (332nd overall), passing up pro football to enter medical school.

Maxx's father, Brian, was a first-round pick (18th overall) for the Giants as a center in 1989 and played 11 seasons in New York. Brian Williams met his wife, volleyball player Rochele Goetz, when both were athletes for the Gophers, and Rochele's father and brother also are former Gophers football players.

Maxx Williams said he was looking forward to working with Baltimore quarterback Joe Flacco.

"I can't wait to get out there to show what I can do," Williams said. "They've got a great quarterback, and I can't wait to go out there and start playing."

Williams was considered a possible first-round choice, but lasted 23 picks into the second round.

"It doesn't even matter," Williams said. "I heard my name being called and that's all that matters to me. And it's the best feeling I've ever experienced."

Williams, in 25 games with the Gophers, had 61 catches for 986 yards and 13 touchdowns. He earned All-America honors last season.

He declared for the draft on Jan. 2, the day after the Gophers lost to Missouri in the Citrus Bowl, a game in which Williams hurdled a Tigers defender during a 54-yard catch-and-run for a touchdown. He boarded an early-morning flight the next day to Southern California to train for the league combine.

Williams, 6 feet 4 and 250 pounds, placed in the top five among tight ends at the combine in the 40-yard dash, the vertical and broad jumps and the 20-yard shuttle. He has been compared to Dallas tight end Jason Witten.

At the combine, Williams told the Baltimore Sun: "He's a complete tight end, in my opinion. He blocks. He runs routes. He makes plays for his team. That's what I want to be. I want to go to the NFL and be a complete tight end and make plays with my hands but also in the run game by making complete blocks."