In speaking with Jonah Williams, Alabama’s junior offensive tackle on Monday, he said that during the summer the front line knew how special Quinnen Williams would be this season.
“If you were to ask any offensive lineman coming in on who were the guys standing out on defense, he would be at the top of the list,” Williams said on his counterpart and teammate on the defensive line. “Obviously, I’m really proud of what he’s been able to do so far and not surprised based on his production in practice and how hard he works in the offseason to improve in areas.”
Aside from the elder Williams and all others inside the Crimson Tide’s program, local and national media had the nose tackle position as an area of concern for the team.
Quinnen Williams, a redshirt sophomore, has erased all doubts and is the linchpin of a defense that posted two consecutive shutouts versus LSU and Mississippi State, to improve to 10-0. Behind the athletic, yet strong Birmingham native, Alabama’s defensive unit has gone from having issues early on to being an elite group down the stretch.
NCAA defensive stats for Alabama
Scoring defense – 12.7 ppg, T-1st in nation
Total defense – 283 ypg, 8th in nation
Rush defense – 96.3 ypg, 7th in nation
3rd down efficiency – 28.0% conversion rate, 8th in nation
Pass efficiency – 104.12 rating allowed, 10th in nation
First down defense – 151 allowed, 7th in nation
Due to his unexpected success for most people, Williams was one of five players chosen as a finalist for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy on Wednesday – according to an announcement from Charlotte Touchdown Club and Football Writers Association of America. For the award presented to college football’s best defensive player, Williams joins Josh Allen of Kentucky, Devin Bush of Michigan, Grant Delpit of LSU and Christian Wilkins of Clemson for the honor.
The 6-foot-4, 295-pound wrecking ball is third on Alabama’s unit in total tackles (49), third in sacks (five), second in quarterback pressures (nine) and has a team-high 14 tackles for loss.
Williams is second in the Southeastern Conference in tackles for loss (Josh Allen, 15.5) and in terms of Tide football, he carries the most production in this category of the Nick Saban era for a defensive tackle.
Despite his size, Williams’ motor, strength, technique and athleticism has positioned for an opportunity to be a top-five pick and possibly the first defensive lineman selected in next year’s NFL Draft.
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.
