Former Alabama football star Jonathan Allen is no fortune teller; however, he did mention something accurate before pursuing the National Football League.
The 17th overall pick of the 2017 draft name dropped Quinnen Williams as the next breakout player on the Crimson Tide’s defensive line. After a strong redshirt freshman year, Allen will see his words become reality as Williams was a force in spring and has dominated fall camp so far.
Hailing from Birmingham, Ala., the once four-star recruit stood out at Alabama’s open practice and impressed his head coach – Nick Saban – during the team’s first scrimmage last week.
Despite returning defensive ends Raekwon Davis and Isaiah Buggs, it was Williams that received a glowing review from his coach in his presser at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
“He’s really played well,” Saban said of Williams.
“He’s one of the guys that I am really proud of and probably exemplifies all the things I talk about. If you looked at him as a young player, how he’s developed and what he has grown into… improving himself physically, having a lot of maturity, plays with a lot of effort, he’s a really smart player and I think he is one of our most productive players up front right now.”
Listed at 6-foot-4 and 289 pounds, Williams is seeking to replace Da’Ron Payne as the Tide’s starter at defensive tackle. As one of the top prospects in the state of Alabama upon arriving in the 2016 signing class, he recorded 20 tackles (6.5 for loss), two sacks and three quarterback hurries last season – helping the program obtain its fifth national championship under Saban.
Even with it coming in the loss of Da’Shawn Hand to a knee injury, Williams initial marquee performance came against Ole Miss. He posted career-highs in tackles for loss (two) and quarterback hurries (one) and carried the energy into the Texas A&M matchup, where he collected his first career sack in a 27-19 win for the Tide over the Aggies at Kyle Field.
In front of a boisterous crowd at Bryant-Denny, Williams excelled against LSU as he was credited with a career-high five tackles, two tackles for loss and one sack. He was the probably the most effective player on defense in a meeting versus Mississippi State, totaling four tackles with one stop for loss in a nail-biting 31-24 victory over the Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium.
Now a sophomore, Williams is ready to start crafting his own draft stock.
Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
