Could a former Alabama football offensive tackle be headed to a new scenery in the National Football League?
Jonah Williams, a California native, got selected in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals.
He has started 47 career games as a left tackle, protecting quarterback Joe Burrow. In three seasons, Williams protected Burrow to have 11,774 passing yards, 82 touchdowns, and a career passer rating of 100.4. He tossed for 4,000+ passing yards in back-to-back years — including 4,475 yards and a career-high 35 touchdown passes. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network stated Friday that Williams has requested a trade from the Bengals. The 25-year-old could be the top tackle on the market should Cincinnati decide to move on from him. Williams came to the Crimson Tide as a five-star in the 2016 recruiting class.
In the wake of the Orlando Brown signing, #Bengals OT Jonah Williams has requested a trade through his agent Ryan Tollner, sources say. Just 25 years old with 47 career starts at LT protecting Joe Burrow, Williams becomes the top tackle available if Cincy is willing to move on. pic.twitter.com/miTcjVjCtG
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 17, 2023
He was a two-time first-team All-SEC selection (2017, 2018), a Unanimous All-American in 2018, and a Jacobs Blocking Trophy winner in 2018. Williams helped Damien Harris total 1,000+ yards rushing in 2016 and 2017. He protected Tua Tagovailoa to a single-season school record 3,966 passing yards and 43 touchdowns. Williams assisted Alabama to a College Football Playoff National Championship in 2017. He has two SEC Championship rings from the 2016 and 2018 seasons.
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Williams could reunite with Tagovailoa in Miami for the Dolphins. The Dolphins do not need a left tackle with Terron Armstead; however, it needs a right tackle. Williams may want to remain on the left side, but a change of scenery and an opportunity to play with Tagovailoa again may require moving over to the right. We will see if the Bengals decide to move on from him.
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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.
