Game Day Feature: Byron Williams
10/14/2015 12:00:00 AM | Football
This story originally ran in the October 10th football game program against Nicholls. Pick up your game program each home game for feature stories on your favorite Lumberjack football players.
Letting His Play Do The Talking
Like most teams across the country entering the 2015 season, Stephen F. Austin had its share of question marks at a number of positions across the field.
The offensive line, however, was not one of them.
In fact, not only was the offensive line one of the most experienced positions at SFA, it was one of the most seasoned in all of FCS football as the Lumberjacks returned all five starters from 2014.
The grand total from those five returning starters? Through this past weekend, they have combined for 134 starts in 161 games played for the Lumberjacks.
The most experienced among that veteran group is senior Byron Williams, a four year starter for the Lumberjacks at the left tackle position. During his time in Nacogdoches, Williams has seen action in 41 games for the Lumberjacks with 38 starts.
Standing at 6-4 and 302 pounds, Williams is a force to be reckoned with on the field, garnering attention from all different angles.
A first team All-Southland Conference selection in 2014, Williams was a preseason first team honoree in 2015. His success on the field also brought in national accolades, being named a preseason third team STATS FCS All-American and drawing interest from a handful of NFL franchises.
Not bad from a guy who readily admits he’s not one who likes to draw attention to himself.
“I’m not really outgoing,” Williams admits. “I don’t talk very much and I like to keep to myself most of the time. I’m not a big talker out on the field. I like to let my play do the talking for me.”
But once that whistle blows, it almost seems like Williams takes on a different personality.
“When you’re on the offensive line, you’ve got to be nasty,” Williams said. “You can’t be nice. It’s something that was hard for me at first, but I’m getting better at it.”
Playing football and being a gentle giant are two things that have defined Byron Williams from an early age. His father, Rickie, was a basketball player and introduced Byron to both sports from an early age. But for Williams, there was one that just seemed to be the perfect fit.
“My dad got me started in little league and I’ve been in love with it ever since,” Williams said.
As is the case with the majority of players, it took a little bit of time for Williams to finally settle into the position where he truly belonged.
“Originally (the coaches) had me as fullback and they had me back there running the ball,” Williams recalls. “They also stuck me at defensive end, and I stayed at those two positions during the majority of middle school. In the eighth grade they finally just said ‘we’re moving this guy to the offensive line. He’s big,’ and that’s where I’ve been ever since.”
As he continued to grow, Williams continued to develop into a leader. Playing for Dickinson, Williams was a three-year starter for the Gators as the team advanced to the second round of the playoffs in both his sophomore and junior seasons as Dickinson racked up nearly 300 rushing yards per game behind his blocking.
For his efforts, Williams was a three-time first team all-district selection, being named the District 24-5A MVP as a senior.
Still, the offers to play collegiate ball weren’t coming. He did receive some interest from Colorado State but that opportunity fizzled when the coach who was recruiting him accepted a position in the NFL.
After considering what his options might be, Williams received a phone call from SFA, and the rest, as they say, is history.
“They invited me to take a trip to visit the campus, and I fell in love with it,” Williams said. “I knew it was where I wanted to be, and it was close to home so my parents could still come to my games. Everything just kind of fell into place.”
As a true freshman in 2012, Williams wasn’t sure how much playing time he would get, but was determined to make the most of it whenever he got his opportunity.
He didn’t have to wait long as he ended up playing in all 11 games for SFA that season with nine starts as the Lumberjacks led the nation in passing.
From that point on, Williams cemented his place on the SFA front line as the Lumberjacks continued to be one of the top offensive teams in the country. In 2013, the ‘Jacks averaged over 571 yards of offense per game, including 389 yards through the air. In 2014, he helped pave the way for running back Gus Johnson’s record-setting season - something he made sure SFA’s all-time leading rusher won’t soon forget.
“I tell Gus all the time that the reason he was so good is because we made him look good,” Williams said. “I’m still waiting for him to buy us some dinners.”
It takes a special breed of player to suit up on the offensive line. It is the forgotten position - one that many times is an afterthought as long as they are doing their job. But for Williams and his teammates, it is a position they have come to embrace.
“You need to have the mindset that you’re the playmaker of the team,” said Williams. “You’re what makes the offense go, yet you know you’re never going to get the credit. We don’t get the glory, but it’s all good.”
It’s that mindset which has helped Williams become one of the leaders of the Lumberjacks.
“Everyone feeds off of Byron,” said offensive line coach Bill Best. “He’s just a mentally tough player that doesn’t hide from competition. He’s very quiet but leads by example and is very passionate about the position he plays. He’s very concerned about overall team success and that motivates him day in and day out.”
That work ethic and commitment to the position continues to draw interest from a handful of NFL teams. Over a dozen franchises have sent scouts to games and practices, critiquing and analyzing Williams on everything from his footwork to how well he capitalizes on his blocking assignments.
While he admits it does offer a little bit more pressure, Williams remains focused on what it is that got him to this position in the first place.
“I’ve just got to keep my mind right, finish out the season and see where it goes from here,” Williams said. “It adds a little bit more pressure because you know everyone will be watching every little thing you do. It humbles you and makes you realize how important the fundamentals are.”
With just six more games guaranteed in his football career, Williams remains determined to make the most of it. And when asked how he wants to be remembered, the answer came in typical Byron Williams fashion - short, humble, and to the point.
“I just want to be known as a hard worker,” Williams said, with a smile. “That’s it.”
-SFA-
