The redshirt freshman defensive end saw his first game action at Nebraska on Saturday against Florida Atlantic. The 6-foot-4, 245-pound Texan was credited with two tackles. Williams is Pierre Allen's backup on the right side.
Q: What was the call or your role on your first play?
A: We just had a base call. I was the six technique on the tight end and kind of had him manned up. If it was pass, I was supposed to kind of beat him up a little bit. If it was run, I was just playing my technique.
Q: Did you think it would be as big a transition from high school to college as it was?
A: I didn't think so. But there was a big eye-opener in the first fall camp. And then coming into this camp, I felt a little more calm and felt a little more prepared than I was last year, so I was pretty excited about that.
Q: What's the toughest part of redshirting?
A: Just sitting out. I came in and wanted to be in the game. But actually just sitting out and watching guys, that's probably the toughest part. I think the best part about it was just being able to develop myself to be ready to play college football.
Q: When you look back at it now, do you think a year ago at this time you would have been ready to play?
A: No, I don't think so. I don't think I would have been able to do it.
Q: How much weight have you put on since last year?
A: Between 30 and 40 pounds.
Q: When you look at yourself in the mirror now, is it dramatic?
A: Yeah. I think about it a lot looking at myself because I came in and I was pretty small and I put on weight and bulked up a little bit. So I kind of like looking at myself now.
Q: How was your tunnel walk on a day when you knew you were going to play in your first game?
A: It stood the hairs up on my back. It was pretty exciting. There's nothing like it. There's a different preparation when you actually know you're going to be getting into the game. Just knowing I was in the rotation, that was pretty big.
Q: What was it like the first time you stepped out on the field?
A: I was pretty wired. I was pretty jacked up. After that first play, I settled down a little bit and kind of got going.
— Nick Rubek
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