Alabama Football: 2018 Defensive Sleeper Quinnen Williams
By Ronald Moody
Alabama football redshirt sophomore defensive tackle Quinnen Williams is a sleeper player on the defensive line. His ability to rush the passer will break opposing offensive linemen’s will.
Alabama football redshirt sophomore defensive tackle Quinnen Williams stands six foot four inches tall and weighs 289 pounds. He has ravaged offensive lineman in practice and in games. His steady progress even received the blessing of an Alabama legend. Former Alabama football All-American Jonathan Allen mentioned to al.com,
"He’s going to be a baller. He’s going to be a beast."
A comparison to Alabama football ‘Superman’ is not to be thrown about. Nonetheless, those comparisons are being made about Quinnen Williams.
In 2016, Williams was a four-star recruit from Birmingham, Alabama. Honorably mentioned by 247Sports as the number four player in the state of Alabama. He redshirted his first year on campus. Former defensive line coach Karl Dunbar told al.com,
"Of the 13 game weeks leading up to the Peach Bowl … Williams was a scout team player of the week 10 times."
STEADY DEFENSIVE PRESENCE
Before the following season, he was named as Bart Starr’s Most Improved Player after A-Day. As a result, Williams played in every game last season as part of the defensive front rotation. Additionally, the nimble defensive tackle also participated in jumbo packages on goalline offense. Williams was on the field as an up back for junior defensive tackle Daron Payne’s “big guy” touchdown against Clemson in the 2018 College Football Playoff semifinal.
Williams finished the season with 20 tackles, two sacks, and three quarterback hurries. Quinnen finished fourth on the Tide in tackles for loss with six and a half tackles. In the 24-10 victory over rival LSU, the sophomore played lights out. His stout play led to a career-high five tackles, two tackles for loss and a sack. During Alabama’s Annual Awards Banquet at the end of the season, he was awarded the Iron Man award. This reward is given to individuals who have shown dedication to the strength and conditioning program.
BREAKTHROUGH SEASON
Finally, Quinnen Williams will be pushing Philadrius Mathis for future NFL first-rounder Daron Payne’s defensive tackle slot. New Alabama football defensive line coach Craig Kuligowski has garnered a reputation for churning out all-conference linemen. While at Missouri, he had 24 players selected all-conference. His detailed coaching led to four first-round NFL picks to include Sheldon Richardson, Shane Ray, Aldon Smith and Charles Harris. As a matter of fact, twelve overall draft picks made it to the league under his tutelage. Last season at the University of Miami, three of his lineman earned all ACC recognition.
If Washington Redskins’ Jonathan Allen and Pittsburgh Steelers defensive line coach Karl Dunbar said that the next breakout player for Alabama’s defense is this uncanny defensive tackle, take notice and listen. As Coach Kool indoctrinates himself with the defensive linemen this season, look for this young man to have a breakthrough season.
Next: 'Never too early' 2018 Defense Depth Chart
Expect a competition for the starting nose tackle spot vacated by Payne. Mathis, sophomore LaBryan Ray, and senior Johnny Dwight are no pushovers. Definitely, this positional battle will not be solved during spring practice.