Elk Grove (Calif.) defensive tackle Joseph Williams (6-0, 250), is patiently awaiting his first scholarship offer, but despite the lack of an offer, Williams continues to plug along in the trenches for the Thundering Herd
“I have been sending out film to some schools,” said Williams. “Some of the schools I’m interested in are San Jose State, Fresno State, mostly the WAC schools, Nevada, and Sacramento State. UC Davis is another school. We have a player from Elk Grove that goes there, so that could be an option.”
Hometown Sacramento State is one school that Williams is paying close attention to.
“With Sac State, I’d definitely have interest in going there,” said Williams. “They’re doing well and I wouldn’t mind being a Hornet.”
Despite the size that most D-I tackles may posses, Williams hasn’t let that stop him and he acknowledges that while its been a part of the process, others before him have blazed a similar trail.
“With my size, I know its sometimes hard, so I’m not taking anything for granted,” said Williams. “I’m a lot like Dwight Freeney, I am quick and I can get around lineman.”
Williams made that known at the Fresno State camp this summer, where he won the camp’s King of the Ring contest.
“I did pretty good there,” said Williams. “It was really well organized and I performed really well. I won the King of the Ring, taking the best offensive and defensive lineman there.”
It was Williams' second good performance at a camp, as he also earned all-combine honors at the San Francisco Scout.com Combine in April.
Williams has been a staple on the Herd’s offensive and defensive line the past two seasons, and this year has been no different.
“I’m going both ways again. It gets tiring, but I’ve got to do it for my team,” said Williams.
And despite rarely coming off the field, Williams is doing just fine. The Thundering Herd are averaging 292 yards a game rushing and he’s also added 36 tackles from his defensive line spot.
Academically, Williams is doing well, carrying a 3.0 GPA and planning on taking the SAT and ACT this fall.
This week, Elk Grove takes on Laguna Creek.