The world in which New York Jets defensive end Quinnen Williams played college football no longer exists, which is a stunning realization considering his career at Alabama ended just six short years ago.
Despite the dizzying tide of transfer liberalization, playoff expansions and conference realignments, Williams’ enthusiasm for the game remains. That’s true even after legendary Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban retires, as Williams said S.I. on Friday on a virtual media tour to promote College Colors Day on August 30.
“I’m pretty sure it’s going to be a lot different for every Alabama fan around the world,” Williams said. “I think it’s going to be great, man. We’ve got a great offensive line, a great quarterback, a great offensive-minded head coach.”
Williams played for Alabama from 2017 to 2018 (uncontracted in 2016) and won the national championship in 2017. In 2018, one of the most dominant defensive seasons of the last decade, Williams finished eighth in the Heisman Trophy voting.
Williams returned to the college spirit for a day, appearing alongside Miami Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert and longtime ESPN reporter Holly Rowe in a commercial for College Colors Day – a joyful 20-year-old holiday designed to encourage the American public to show their team spirit ahead of the college football season.
“My favorite part was being able to work with Raheem Mostert,” Williams said of the Purdue product. “I know I’m going against him a lot since he plays for the Dolphins. … Just having the chance to work with him off the field and laugh and joke about the times we played against each other was pretty cool.”
In his assessment of the 12-team College Football Playoff, Williams acknowledged that it would be “different for the players because they are so used to a four-team playoff.”
However, the Birmingham native is convinced that the Crimson Tide will cope well with their new coach Kalen DeBoer in this season of changes.
“They’re in very good hands,” Williams said. “They have great defensive coaches and great offensive coaches. They’re definitely going to get them ready for this season. They’re going to do what their coaches tell them to do, be consistent and give it their all.”
