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Football
Williams Continues Tradition of Under-the-Radar Excellence in OSU Football Recruiting
By John PorentasOSU Head Coach Jim Tressel and recruiting coordinator John Peterson have done it again. Over the years Tressel and his staff have consistently found players who have turned out to be gems after being characterized as more like lumps of coal by the people who rate high school talent. A. J. Hawk, James Laurinaitis, Malcolm Jenkins, Donald Washington and Anderson Russell are just a few of the "average" high school prospects that have turned out to be more than expected after they arrived in Columbus. It looks like they have done it again this year as well.
Nathan Williams Nathan Williams was considered a good player, but hardly star caliber when he signed with the Buckeyes last February. He also didn't help his hype-stock much when he didn't report for summer conditioning but instead elected to report to Ohio State at a more traditional time, right before fall camp began.
The first inkling that Williams might be pretty good came in the form of a little hint from Jim Tressel a few weeks back when he remarked that the Ohio coaches in the Big 33 All-Star game thought Williams was the most impressive player on the field. That was kind of tough to believe since the Ohio squad got drubbed pretty badly in that game, and beside, that would make Williams the top player on a team that wasn't so red hot, so big deal. Turns out those high school coaches knew something.
Williams has absolutely wowed them in fall camp, so much so that fifth-year senior corner back Shaun Lane sounded like a flock of canaries when he sang Williams' praises.
Shaun Lane
Photo by Jim Davidson"He (Williams) is just an athlete," said Lane.
"That brother is strong and he does the job rushing the passer. He just stands out at practice," Lane said.
Williams has physical talent, the measurables as they are called, but what is setting him apart are the intangibles, things like "motor," whatever that is.
"Nathan Williams has been a really pleasant surprise. His motor goes 100 miles an hour. He just never stops," said OSU defensive coordinator and defensive line coach Jim Heacock.
"When the ball's snapped, look out," said Heacock.
"He may not know where he's going right now but he's going. You watch him on tape and he never slows down. The ball can be thrown to the deep third and he's going to turn and run to the deep third," Heacock said.
John Peterson
Photo by Jim DavidsonOSU tight ends coach John Peterson also helps coach the offensive line. His guys have had the job of blocking Williams this fall, and Peterson says he is impressed by what a tough task that has been, and once again he talked about that motor thing setting Williams apart.
"Nathan plays hard," said Peterson.
"He's got a leverage to him that defensive linemen that have it can play low, can play with power, can play with speed and he plays hard.
"He reminds me of Luke Fickell. I told Luke he has that leverage and relentless passion to keep after the football. Whether it's the pass rush or the run game he kind of does that," said Peterson.
What has impressed everyone is that despite being as green as the grass, Williams always seem to do the right things at the right time even though he is really new to the OSU defense.
"He does the job. That's the biggest thing," said Lane.
"It's easy for a young guy to get caught up in his assignment and just try to make a play (but not make it) but he actually does the job, keeps contain and still makes plays," Lane said.
That may be the most amazing thing about Williams. Most freshmen suffer from paralysis by analysis as they learn a complex college defensive scheme. Williams hasn't had that problem. He might not always know exactly what he is supposed to be doing, but he has a knack of ending up doing the right thing and making plays. Peterson says that once again goes back to that "motor" thing.
"For young kids there's always a learning curve with assignments and language and all those things. The guys that are able to impact at a young age are are typically guys who go hard. They don't let the thinking part slow them down," said Peterson.
Jim Heacock
Photo by Jim Davidson"He doesn't care about assignments. He just goes and makes plays," said Heacock drawing a laugh. " He has some natural instincts. I think he's a really good player."
Williams may have been a bit under the radar because of the way he was used on his high school team. He was a linebacker and even played some running back. He registered 139 tackles as a senior linebacker, but wasn't considered one of the top linebacker talents in the nation. No matter, because according to Heacock, he and fellow freshman defensive end Keith Wells aren't just good, but are really outstanding, and once again that motor thing came up.
"Keith and Nathan Williams, those two ends are probably honestly since I've been here as good as freshmen (defensive ends) as we've had. They are very talented defensive ends. They both have motors," said Heacock.
"Keith is just a typical tall rangy long-armed, long-legged defensive end that has good pass rush technique and ability."
Heacock said a mouthful when he put Williams and Wells into the category of the two best freshman defensive ends in his OSU tenure. You may remember a couple of freshman defensive ends that came in together a few years back by the names of Darrion Scott and Will Smith. Better than that? It's all in the motor, and according to Lane, Peterson and Heacock, Williams and Wells have the kinds of motors it takes to get to the top of what is a very impressive heap of OSU defensive ends.
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