Fans of Alabama football selfishly want him to return next season, but the way Quinnen Williams is playing will allow some professional teams to have a high draft grade on him.
The sophomore defensive tackle from Birmingham (Ala.) is one of the smallest interior linemen of the Nick Saban era; however, Williams has played bigger than 295-pound frame through seven regular season games. In replacing the departed Da’Ron Payne – another Birmingham product – the 6-foot-4 wreaking ball has outplayed junior defensive end Raekwon Davis, of whom the majority of National Football League analysts have regarded as a first-round pick.
Everything that former Tide star Jonathan Allen spoke about Williams has come to fruition, as the first-year starter leads the team in quarterback hurries (eight) and is second in tackles for loss (7.5). He accounts for 29 tackles and 1.5 sacks, while being a fixture for defensive player of the week via Alabama’s coaching staff throughout the year.
Williams, a former four-star recruit, turned in a stellar performance versus Missouri on homecoming in a 39-10 win on last week. He recorded seven total tackles – including two tackles for loss and one sack. After finding success in the first half with its rushing attack, the Tigers would quickly notice Williams and company shut off lanes from its running backs.
His efforts in sacking quarterback Drew Lock for a safety, as well as limiting Missouri’s firepower to 212 yards offense, helped Williams earn Chuck Bednarik National Player of the Week honors from the Maxwell Football Club. The Chuck Bednarik Award, which has been awarded since 1995, is presented to the defensive player of the year in college football.
With all of the attention the offense has been generating in Tuscaloosa, is anyone taking notice of No. 92 this fall? @AlabamaFTBL held the Mizzou offense to just 10 points, as @QuinnenD1 provided his usual heat with 7 stops, 2 tackles for loss, a sack, and 2 pressures. pic.twitter.com/rlQzI3OxyQ
— Maxwell Football (@MaxwellFootball) October 16, 2018
With Minkah Fitzpatrick winning the award in 2017 as a defensive back, Williams could possibly give the Tide its third consecutive Bednarik winner and second defensive lineman to take home the honor (Jonathan Allen, 2016).
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.
