Tide’s Quinnen Williams dominant on D-line

TUSCALOOSA, Ala.— The guys who have to block Quinnen Williams in practice aren’t the least bit surprised by his success on Alabama’s defensive line.

Williams has emerged as a dominant force for the topranked Crimson Tide at nose guard, doing in games what he had often done in practice.

“I think we’re honestly a little relieved as an (offensive) line that we’re like, ‘OK, no one else can block him either,’” Alabama left tackle Jonah Williams said. He likens it to blocking “a nearly 300pound bar of soap.”

The 6-foot-4, 295-pound Quinnen Williams has deftly moved inside to replace first-round NFL draft pick Da’Ron Payne for the Tide, which visits No. 4 LSU after an open date this weekend. He’s a run-stopper who has also shown a knack for harassing opposing quarterbacks and become one of the best players on a defense that had to replace eight draft picks.

The third-year sophomore lacked the name recognition of fellow defensive linemen Raekwon Davis and Isaiah Buggs after spending last season as a backup defensive end.

He’s become the centerpiece of a defensive front that is where it typically starts for ‘Bama, even if it no longer relies on the old prototype of a blocker-hogging runstuffer like massive former All-American Terrence Cody.

“Any time you have really productive guys up front, especially guys that play the run well as well as have pass rush ability, that’s a real key to having a good defensive team, because it all starts up front in my opinion,” Tide coach Nick Saban said. “Q has certainly developed nicely here and is playing really well this year and has been very productive for us.”