Clemson commitment focusing on state championship

by David Hood - Senior Writer - Mon Jul 05 10:17:27 GMT-04:00 2010

All of the recruiting services and online websites have Daniel’s DeShawn Williams’ name spelled wrong – they have it DeShaun instead of DeShawn – but expect for everybody to know who the senior defensive tackle is shortly.

And the way to spell his name correctly.

“Yeah, it’s DeShawn with a “w” and not a “u,” Williams told TigerNet on Saturday. “Everybody has my name wrong.”

The 6-foot, 280-pounder committed to the Tigers back in June of 2009 and was the first commitment for the 2011 class, and he said that while he still gets calls from recruiters, the pace of recruiting has slowed despite interest from places like LSU, Oregon and North Carolina.

“It is somewhat easier, but I still have colleges that are eager for me to come down and visit and things like that,” Williams said. “I would have to say that it’s not overwhelming, but it’s just pressure from them. They want to see where my head is and make sure I am still going to Clemson.”

Williams said that not having to deal with the hassles of phone calls and visits allows him to focus on what is important to him at this point – getting the Lions back to the state championship.

“It does take my mind off of recruiting, and I can be there for my teammates and push them to get to state and win the region,” he said. “That is all I want to focus on right now is my team. We are going to have to work really hard, but I really believe we are going to have a solid team this season.”

The Lions reeled off 13 consecutive wins to begin last season and Williams said by choosing Clemson, he simply wants to trade one winning environment for another.

“All we do is win at Daniel,” Williams said. “And Coach Swinney, now he is preaching to heaven that he wants to win. I like the situation at Clemson. Nobody ever wants to lose, and that is what Coach Swinney wants is for his team to keep winning. It showed last year and I think they are going to win the ACC Championship this year.”

Williams is, as most everybody knows, the son of former Clemson running back Ronald Williams, and he said that football is in his blood and listed some of the reasons he plays the sport.

“To me, I am a real motor guy, my motor is always on,” he said. “I love the game of football. I have been playing since I was five years old. What I like about it is that you come together as a team and you play hard for your brothers. I like hitting - it’s a man sports pretty much. It takes your mind off everything and lets you just focus on your opponent.”

Mentioning that he is a “motor” player meant that it wasn’t a surprise when he named the former player that he models his game after.

“I would have to say [former Minnesota Viking] John Randle,” he said. “He was in the same situation I am – people said that he was too short, but he is about to be inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame. I look up to him. His motor was always on. He was so quick and powerful, and that is how I am.”

Williams said he is already looking forward to running down The Hill and being a part of everything associated with Clemson, but the thing he is most looking forward to is being a part of the Clemson family.

“I am looking forward to playing with a family,” he said. “Being with a group of guys that are All In and ready to play. I believe this is the best coaching staff in college football – guys like Coach [defensive coordinator Kevin] Steele, Coach [defensive tackles coach Dan] Brooks, Coach [defensive ends coach Chris] Rumph. That is a great coaching staff. I am glad to have the relationship that I have with them, and with my teammates. I want to just to be a family with my teammates and go out and win games.”

Just make sure you spell his name right.