The Cardinal Countdown: 93 Days Until Kickoff

#93 Chris Williams

Class: Junior

Ht/Wt: 6-1/295

Position: Defensive Line

Hometown: Atlanta, GA (via Northwest Mississippi CC)

Twitter: @Chris5_

Thoughts: I admittedly knew very little about Chris just a few weeks ago, but saw his name pop up a few times on some defensive recaps during the spring and started reading more about him as spring camp wrapped up. The more I dug, the more impressed I was with what I would consider one of the bigger steals in this class. I think Chris was one of the under the radar guys in the recruiting class not only because he was an early enrollee, but because the Cards grabbed his commitment out of JUCO way back in November. This was not just any JUCO mind you, but the 2015 Junior College National Champions of Northwest Mississippi. Chris was a big contributor for the Rangers last year when he played and was actually named the Defensive MVP of the title game. Coach LD Scott called Williams a “dog/pibull” on the line because he is slightly undersized but has the fight you need at that size to make an impact. In the recruiting class recap Coach Scott also praised Williams for having “violent hands” which I loved to hear. He said Rankins was another player who knew how to be physical with his upper body which allowed him to penetrate the backfield even though he may not be the biggest man on the field and will typically face offensive lineman with a much longer reach. You know what they say, it’s not the dog in the fight, but the fight size……wait….no, something about dog in the fight……not the size of the dog, but the size of the dogs….umm, balls??? (Don't forget to spay and neuter. RIP Bob Barker)

Chris got some good reps with the Red Squad in the Spring game and I have no doubt he’ll be in the rotation along the line this season. I assume he’ll be fighting with Hearns and possibly Jonathan Greenard at the end previously occupied by Pio but if Hearns plays more outside linebacker early on (I think he will) I see Williams potentially grabbing a starting spot by the time September 1st rolls around. While I praised GG yesterday, and I like the younger lineman like Greenard and the Freshman Boykin, Williams is an experienced player who helps fill a void while we get the underclassmen bigger, stronger, and smarter. Williams could turn out to be a two year starter on a very talented defensive line. As I said before, a steal.

Sweet Tweet:

Hey man this weather is not playing in Louisville

— Chris Williams (@Chris5_) January 14, 2016

The weather in Louisville does many things, which includes "driving sideways" rain, "melt your face" heat, "I can't see my kneecaps" depth of snow, and "I can’t feel my fingers anymore" cold…..but one thing it does not do sir, is play.

#Savage #FireEmoji #NoChill #AlwaysChill #YouCatchMyDrift