Alabama Football Film Room: Quinnen Williams primed for role in DL rotation

Quinnen Williams, a 4 star defensive tackle from Birmingham, was originally committed to Auburn. He decommitted from the Tigers in 2015; and, nearly a year later, committed to Alabama in June 2016 before his senior season.

He stuck with the Tide and wound up redshirting his freshman year behind some talented defensive linemen. With the departure of Jonathan Allen and Dalvin Tomlinson, both defensive end spots are open. Da’Shawn Hand is likely to take one of those spots; but the other starting position, plus plenty of playing time as a rotational guy inside and outside, are up for grabs.

3rd and 2: Williams is the strongside defensive end on the right side of the line. He’s a little slow off the snap and gets tangled up close with Jonah Williams. Quinnen Williams is shut down but eventually gets free as Hurts scrambles to the right and the play breaks down. Because of the pressure, Hurts has to scramble back to the left. Williams sees it and darts to cut him off, diving and getting a hand on Hurts. While Hurts did manage to keep from going down, it counts as a sack for A-Day. Regardless, it’s a heads-up, patient play for Williams who stuck with it despite the initial failure.

1st and 10: Williams is again on the strongside, with Isaiah Buggs lined up to his right. It’s a simple handoff to Josh Jacobs, but Williams does a good job here. He’s matched up against a tight end - Miller Forristall - and controls the block, setting the edge and preventing Jacobs from bouncing outside. Jacobs does cut back and pick up a solid gain, but that’s not Williams’s fault.

1st and 10: Williams is opposite Forristall again. He gets his arms in Forristall’s chest and keeps his eyes on Hurts. Williams goes to the outside; and, after a second, he busts out a swim move and gets a path to the quarterback. It looks like he got a hand on Hurts, which would’ve been another sack; but they don’t blow the whistle. Williams got pressure thanks to the coverage, but it’s nice to see a little pass-rushing move.

2nd and 10: Williams is lined up on the inside shoulder of LG Ross Pierschbacher (2i technique). It’s a quick pass nowhere near Williams, but just focus on #92. Pierschbacher steps to his right to pick up Williams. Williams moves right himself; and he shoves Pierschbacher in the direction he’s already moving, which gives him enough space to work with. Like I said, it’s a quick pass; so it doesn’t matter in the end, but it’s a positive play for Williams.