LINCOLN — Have you seen Josh Williams?
From Memorial Stadium to Texas, they’re marveling at Nebraska’s sophomore defensive end. Just two years ago, Williams arrived at Nebraska out of Denton, Texas, weighing a couple of candy bars more than 200 pounds.
He wore No. 17, something more fit for a safety or receiver.
Today, as Williams pushes for time behind projected starters Pierre Allen and Cameron Meredith, he’s a 6-foot-4, 260-pound specimen.
“It’s been amazing the way he’s put on that strength,” defensive assistant John Papuchis said. “It’s a tribute to how hard he’s worked and the great job that (strength coach) James Dobson has done.
“Josh is a totally different person from when he came here.”
By no coincidence, Williams wears No. 98, once owned by two-time Big 12 defensive player of the year Grant Wistrom — the defensive end in NU history whom Williams would most like to emulate.
“Growing up, my guy was Grant Wistrom,” said Williams, who registered 12 sacks as a senior at Denton Ryan High and ranked among the top recruits near Dallas in 2008. “That history motivates me. Nebraska has always produced great defensive ends. It motivates me to play at that standard.”
Williams added the weight gradually. He said he’s maintained the speed that rated as his best attribute two years ago — maybe even improved it.
“I think I’m faster,” he said.
At home, people hardly recognize him. In Lincoln, NU coaches expect the physical transformation to make a huge difference in his level of play. Williams played in three games last year as a redshirt freshman, accumulating three tackles.
This year, it’s conceivable that he could get snaps nearly equal to Allen and Meredith.
“I’m 100 percent confident in him,” Husker defensive coordinator Carl Pelini said. “He gets in with the ones and you don’t see any dropoff at all. He’s bigger. He’s more physical, and I think he’s got a real confidence about him.”
Allen said he took a special interest in Williams this year.
“Outside the field, he’s like my little brother,” Allen said. “I brought him in because I knew he was going to have to play a major role in our defense, and we’re going to need everybody we can get.”
Williams’ gains in strength impress Allen, too. But he makes one item clear: Williams is not bigger than Allen, who’s listed at 265 but said he weighs about 270.
“No, never,” Allen said. “He can’t touch me.”
Contact the writer:
402-444-1031, mitch.sherman@owh.com
No interviews Thursday
Nebraska canceled its scheduled post-practice news media availability for Thursday. No reason was given. Head coach Bo Pelini will meet with reporters Friday morning after the first of two Husker workouts.
Copyright ©2012 Omaha World-Herald®. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, displayed or redistributed for any purpose without permission from the Omaha World-Herald.
RSS Feeds