Nick Saban has some high praise for Jets defensive lineman Quinnen Williams.
Williams played two years under Saban at Alabama before entering this year’s draft. He was one of 10 Crimson Tide players to be drafted in 2019, but Williams stood out from all the rest.
“I think his initial quickness and his ability to use his hands, play with leverage, get off blocks quickly,” Saban told the Jets’ website. “He’s athletic, so he’s a really good pass rusher. He’s not a gigantic, huge, overpowering guy, but the rest of it is perfect for this day and age of football. I go back to the initial quickness and the use of his hands. This guy is a really smart, instinctive player. I think sometimes people overlook how that impacts someone’s production and his production here was fabulous.”
Williams’ production at Alabama was impressive, as Saban said. He recorded 91 total tackles (26 for loss) and 10 sacks in his two years of school. Williams also was a unanimous All-American and won the Outland Trophy as the nation’s best interior lineman.
Williams is a big guy at 303 pounds, but he doesn’t play like someone of his size. At the combine, Williams ran a 4.83-second 40-yard dash, which is quite impressive given his size.
The 21-year-old fits the way today’s game is played. You need a game-changing player on the defensive line who can get to the quarterback and Williams has proved that ability. Clearly, Saban thinks the Jets got a great player for years to come.
