Redshirt report: Jordan Williams embraces role to defensive tackle

Jordan Williams looks on during fall camp

by David Hood - Senior Writer - Sat Jan 20 08:01:03 GMT-04:00 2018

Jordan Williams was recruited and offered as a defensive end, but he continued to grow after his senior season and wound up transitioning to defensive tackle once he arrived on the Clemson campus.

The entire process has been a learning experience, and Williams told TigerNet recently that he’s looking forward to competing for playing time during spring practice.

Williams was rated the No. 135 overall prospect, No. 4 player in the state of Virginia and No. 4 outside linebacker in the nation by Rivals. He was rated the No. 176 prospect by 247 Sports, No. 5 in the state and No. 13 at his position, while ESPN ranked him No. 254 nationally and No. 8 in the state.

As a senior, he had 50 tackles, including 17 for loss, three passes defended, two caused fumbles and three fumble recoveries. As a junior, Williams had 39 tackles, including 12.5 for loss, including five sacks, two interceptions, seven passes broken up, one caused fumble and two fumble recoveries.

Due to the position change and depth at the defensive tackle spot, Williams redshirted last season.

“It's been really good, a real learning experience. I have been taking a lot of coaching from the other players and the coaches,” Williams told TigerNet. “I am pretty sure I am going to stay at defensive tackle. I don't plan on changing weight. I weigh 295 right now, and I still feel pretty quick. I put on 10 pounds, but I still feel quick. The week before I got here I felt like I was going to move inside, but no one told me until I got here.”

Williams said he did have a feeling he would move inside after his form started to fill out. Now he’s looking forward to the spring.

“I think so, and then I started lifting a little more. I was eating, lifting and working out,” Williams said. “I am definitely looking forward to competing again. I think fall camp was a great experience for me, getting used to everything. I know spring ball is a little bit different, but I am ready to get back out there and compete again.”

What was the redshirt year like?

“It's been tough, but you have to know there are guys ahead of you that are better and you have to improve. You have to work on yourself and get better every day at practice,” he said.

As for the spring, Williams says he has a list of things he wants to work on.

“Definitely just technique. I feel like that is my biggest weakness right now,” he said. “Footwork, hand placement, reading blocks, things like that. I feel like if I work on that it will be easier to improve before spring ball. Everything is much faster, and much quick inside. There isn't a lot of room inside.”