Brother's trash talk lifting Williams' play
STILLWATER — Oklahoma State cornerback Rodarius Williams won't find much credit from his younger brother.
Greedy Williams doesn't mince words. He always has a critique. He's always keeping Rodarius humble.
It works for the pair of cornerbacks at different levels.
“He's definitely critical,” Rodarius said about Greedy, a second-year cornerback for the Cleveland Browns. “On both ends, I give him trash talk and he gives me trash talk.
“At the end of the day, that made both of us great corners.”
But it's time to heap some praise on Rodarius.
The 24-year-old Cowboy is having a dynamic senior season. He's elevated himself into one of the top cornerbacks in the country, accepting a Senior Bowl invite and an addition to the watch list for the Bednarik Award given to the best defensive player in the country.
Entering Saturday's Bedlam matchup at No. 18-ranked OU, there might not be a more important player defensively for the 14th-ranked Cowboys. He's tasked with limiting whatever talented Sooners receiver lines up on his side.
And it's important on a personal level for Rodarius. A big performance brings him even more into the national spotlight with NFL scouts watching.
“It's most definitely one of the things that's in the back of my head,” Rodarius said.
To put Rodarius' season into perspective, ProFootballFocus.com provides a strong analytical look at his rise.
He is the 12th-ranked cornerback overall in the country, grading out at 81.3 in coverage. He's allowed just six receptions on 15 targets. Receivers have totaled just 38 yards against him.
And the state of Kansas is not a fan. Neither Kansas or Kansas State attempted a pass against Rodarius.
“From the outside world, they may think that I'm just doing this superhero job,” Rodaius said. “But it's a lot of guys that got hands on to what I'm doing — coaches and my family members.
“Those are great numbers. I don't think this has been done, even in the Big 12. I'm just trying to keep it up.”
Rodarius has started every game since the beginning of his freshman season. Last season, he took a big jump forward. But this season is special.
To get there, Rodarius said he had to use his time at home during the COVID- 19 pandemic shutdown in the spring wisely.
He worked out with Greedy, the 22-year-old former LSU star, and his father. He studied film in new ways.
That made an immediate impact.
“Each year, he's gotten better and better,” OSU coach Mike Gundy said. “He practices hard, doesn't say a lot, just competes and he's just improved. He's gotten better and we feel really good about his ability to cover.”
Now, Rodarius is tasked with defending a plethora of talented OU receivers ranging from Marvin Mims to Theo Wease to Charleston Rambo to h-back Austin Stogner.
It's easily the most talented group of receivers the Cowboys have faced. OU quarterback Spencer Rattler won't shy from throwing their way, even if Rodarius is in coverage.
Rodarius welcomes that. He can finally earn the credit he deserves.
“It's going to be a dogfight,” Rodarius said. “This is a game that we live for. You live for high competitions. I don't like people not throwing at me. I want to be challenged.
“I hope those guys throw the ball to me every time. I'm just ready.”