Alabama Football: Jesse Williams Searching for More

Oct 13, 2012; Columbia, MO, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive lineman Jesse Williams (54) warms up before the game against the Missouri Tigers at Farout Field. The Crimson Tide won 42-10. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-US PRESSWIRE

In 3-4 defenses; especially those of Alabama head coach Nick Saban, noseguards get a great deal of recognition but lack the numbers that usually bring it about.

Williams is unable to crack the top 100 in the Southeastern Conference in tackles, yet is still demanding a double-team on nearly every down, seeing his name pop up on All-American lists and being placed in the first round of the NFL Draft by some experts.

Williams is okay knowing his effect on the team is seen on-field as opposed to in the box score.

“I guess when we win,” Williams said upon being asked when he knows he has done his job well. “Especially when we shut down the run and make them more one-dimensional. I mean, it’s not really a glory position for us, especially in this defense. But we do our job.

“I’ll take a double-team all day if C.J.’s going to come through and make a tackle and it’s going to help the team out. That’s what they recruited me to do is help the team out. I’ve got to do what they tell me.”

But, maybe Williams wants his impact felt on the box score: on the offensive side of it.

Williams has been spotted at fullback from time-to-time, much like former nose guard Terrence Cody, who came in as a fullback in a certain jumbo package.

“That’s a lot of fun,” Williams said. “It’s going to get a lot funner if they give me a chance and let me grab the ball.”

Cody never got the chance to touch the football in his jumbo formation, but Williams feels as if he is ready to take the set to another level.

“I played rugby back in Australia,” Williams said. “I’m sure I can catch a ball.”

Williams makes sure to make that assertion well-known.

“I tell them every day,” he said of the offensive coaching staff. “Every time I see the coaches, I tell them my hands are ready for the ball. That far away, hopefully I’ll be able to jump that far. I like to think I can.”

Some of his teammates want to see it happen for more than the feeling of fulfillment for their teammate.

“If that were to happen, I think he would do something funny afterwards,” running back Eddie Lacy said. “I don’t know what it’ll be because he thinks different. But it would be funny.”

That opportunity does not look like it will be coming around for Williams, though.

“That looks doubtful. I’ll just keep blocking for now” Williams said.

Lacy has found a way to enjoy that, too.

“It’s actually good because the whole defense just sucks into him, so we basically get to score a lot of times without getting hit,” Lacy said.

Fullback is not the only new position Williams is adapting to for 2012. He also moved from defensive end to noseguard to replace Josh Chapman.

“You get banged around a lot,” Williams said. “Usually the biggest guys are in those trenches down there, and when they come down, they bring a bit of thump.”

The new position is not taking a toll on his body, however.

“But, no, I’ve been good so far. Nothing too serious. Just bumps and bruises,” he said. “Nothing’s going to hold me out from doing anything. So far, so good.”

So, maybe all the accolades aren’t for Williams. May he belongs in obscurity in the trenches.

Even if he got the awards, he wouldn’t know what to do with them.

” I know all the awards and trophies, but I have no clue who all the players are,” Williams said. “Obviously I know about All-America and stuff like that.

“It kind of helps. That would be awesome, and it’s great to have. But right now, winning is at the top of the mantle for me and the other players that talk surrounds. I think if we just keep what we’re doing to help the team, those things will fall into place for us in the future.”