Oklahoma State University Athletics
Ready for a Dogfight
November 18, 2020 | Cowboy Football
STILLWATER – Heading into his final Bedlam game, Rodarius Williams is in a different situation than he has been in prior matchups against the Sooners.
The senior has a wealth of experience playing Oklahoma as a four-year starter at cornerback, but this season Williams has taken on more of a leadership role on the defense.
"My main thing is keeping guys' heads up and spirits high," Williams said. "My role is to be a true leader. I've been here before and a lot of guys have been here before, but with the seniority I have, I have to keep everybody level-headed."
It has already been a busy week for the Cowboy cornerback. Williams accepted an invitation to play in the Reese's Senior Bowl alongside teammates Tylan Wallace and Teven Jenkins, and was added to the Bednarik Award Watchlist, which is given to the nation's best defensive player.
"I'm humbled first of all," Williams said on his accomplishments. "I'm thankful for the guys I've got around me. Without those guys, my job wouldn't be how it looks on film. All the great work I'm doing is definitely coming from other guys around me who put me in better positions to make plays."
He credits training with family members like his dad and brother, Greedy who is a cornerback for the Cleveland Browns, for a large part of his success this season. While being home due to COVID-19 , Williams said training with them allowed him to take advantage of the pandemic to get ready for the season.
"It was definitely ramped up from previous years having a lot of guys around me who are in a higher position than I am in the NFL," Williams said. "Players like my brother, my coach and my dad actually working hands on with my brother and I being home for so long, I really took training to a whole different level and I'm glad that I did."
Other Cowboy defenders took notice of Williams improvement over the offseason and now look to him while they are on the field.
"He has improved so much from last year to this year at finishing the play and being a leader on the field," defensive end Trace Ford said. "He is leading everyone around and everyone looks to him for guidance. I think Rodarius is one of the biggest leaders and role models on the team."
Williams has been a force in the secondary for the Cowboys so far this season, and is set to face an OU receiving core that will be arguably his toughest task yet. When asked about his final Bedlam game and the challenge the Oklahoma offense will present, Williams could barely contain his excitement.
"I know they have talented wide receivers and we have a talented backend so it's going to be a dogfight. This a game we live for; you live for high competition games. I don't like easy games or people not throwing at me because I want to be challenged. I hope those guys throw the ball at me every time. I'm ready."
The senior has a wealth of experience playing Oklahoma as a four-year starter at cornerback, but this season Williams has taken on more of a leadership role on the defense.
"My main thing is keeping guys' heads up and spirits high," Williams said. "My role is to be a true leader. I've been here before and a lot of guys have been here before, but with the seniority I have, I have to keep everybody level-headed."
It has already been a busy week for the Cowboy cornerback. Williams accepted an invitation to play in the Reese's Senior Bowl alongside teammates Tylan Wallace and Teven Jenkins, and was added to the Bednarik Award Watchlist, which is given to the nation's best defensive player.
"I'm humbled first of all," Williams said on his accomplishments. "I'm thankful for the guys I've got around me. Without those guys, my job wouldn't be how it looks on film. All the great work I'm doing is definitely coming from other guys around me who put me in better positions to make plays."
He credits training with family members like his dad and brother, Greedy who is a cornerback for the Cleveland Browns, for a large part of his success this season. While being home due to COVID-19 , Williams said training with them allowed him to take advantage of the pandemic to get ready for the season.
"It was definitely ramped up from previous years having a lot of guys around me who are in a higher position than I am in the NFL," Williams said. "Players like my brother, my coach and my dad actually working hands on with my brother and I being home for so long, I really took training to a whole different level and I'm glad that I did."
Other Cowboy defenders took notice of Williams improvement over the offseason and now look to him while they are on the field.
"He has improved so much from last year to this year at finishing the play and being a leader on the field," defensive end Trace Ford said. "He is leading everyone around and everyone looks to him for guidance. I think Rodarius is one of the biggest leaders and role models on the team."
Williams has been a force in the secondary for the Cowboys so far this season, and is set to face an OU receiving core that will be arguably his toughest task yet. When asked about his final Bedlam game and the challenge the Oklahoma offense will present, Williams could barely contain his excitement.
"I know they have talented wide receivers and we have a talented backend so it's going to be a dogfight. This a game we live for; you live for high competition games. I don't like easy games or people not throwing at me because I want to be challenged. I hope those guys throw the ball at me every time. I'm ready."
Players Mentioned
DE
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OL
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CB
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