Oklahoma State University Athletics
Up Close With Kevin Williams
September 05, 2002 | Cowboy Football
Sept. 5, 2002
by Chris Matthews
Oklahoma State Athletic Media Relations
One of the many responsibilities for a senior is assuming the leadership role. Kevin Williams will assume that duty for Oklahoma State's defense this fall.
Kevin Williams has been through the wars with Oklahoma State the last few years. He has endured coaching changes and a position change, but has kept his head up and will now be a star for the OSU defense.
Despite being a four-year starter, Williams has been overshadowed by other stars on the defense over his career. His freshman year the linebacking corps of Jack Golden, Kenyatta Wright and Tarrell Knauls was leading the defense. Williams still recorded two sacks and six tackles for a loss.
In his sophomore year, Williams switched to defensive tackle and Juqua Thomas got most of the spotlight at defensive end. He did record four sacks and made seven tackles for a loss of 35 yards
Senior linebacker Dwayne Levels got most of the notoriety on the defense last year, while Williams was leading the team with 5.5 sacks and 11 tackles for a loss; eight of which were unassisted. He enjoyed that success while adapting to a new position at defensive tackle after beginning his career at defensive end.
"Everything was new to me last year and I really was not used to it. I missed a lot of key blocks last year, but I spent the off season in the weight room and that has helped," Williams said. "I still have some things to learn at tackle, but I think I have adapted to it pretty well."
"Being a senior starter, leadership comes with the territory," Williams said. "I lead by example though. Being vocal is not part of my repertoire."
Williams said he has been helping the freshman and telling them what to expect. "If somebody goes down then they have to step in and play." Trumain Carroll and Lance Carson have been the two newcomers he has helped the most, but he has been trying to motivate everybody to help get them ready.
Williams expects to perform even better after having spent a year under defensive coordinator Bill Clay's scheme. It is his turn to be the senior leader on the defense.
"Last year was our first year in that defense, and I believe a lot of players are used to it and adapted to it well," Williams said. "We should do good this year."
This is Williams first year to learn under the tutelage of a new defensive line coach. Calvin Miller coached the line for Williams' first three years at OSU. Karl Dunbar assumes command of the defensive line this year.
"Coaching Kevin Williams was an exciting experience," former defensive line coach Calvin Miller said. "He was very coachable and was a hard worker that encourages to be pushed. At times he needs to be pushed because he plays best when he gets upset or a little bit ticked off. He has great ability and ability that he has not yet brought to the surface."
"Kevin Williams means a lot to our defense," Coach Dunbar said. "He is one of our leaders and one of the guys we are going to look to. So far he has been everything everybody has told me about him. He is very aggressive and very strong and he practices well. We have younger guys looking up to him and seeing that kind of work ethic is only going to make you better as a team."
"Playing for Coach Dunbar has been pretty good so far," Williams said. "He is pretty exciting and coaches with a lot of enthusiasm."
Williams is excited to get his senior season under way and thinks the Cowboys will have a successful campaign.
"I started off my career pretty well and have kind of flattened out, but this year I am up and coming," Williams said.
