New York Jets defensive lineman Quinnen Williams' college football days are numbered, a surprising statement considering his playing career at Alabama ended just six years ago.
Despite the dizzying onslaught of free transfers, expanded playoffs and conference realignment, Williams' passion for basketball remains constant, even with the retirement of legendary Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban, Williams told SI on Friday during a virtual media tour promoting College Colors Day on Aug. 30.
“I'm sure it's going to be a very different experience for Alabama fans around the world,” Williams said. “I think it's going to be a great game. We have a great offensive line, a great quarterback and a great offensive-minded head coach.”
Williams played at Alabama from 2017-18 (redshirting in 2016) and won a national championship in 2017. After one of the best individual defensive seasons of the last decade in 2018, Williams finished eighth in Heisman Trophy voting.
Williams got back in the collegiate spirit for one day, appearing alongside Miami Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert and longtime ESPN reporter Holly Rowe to promote College Colors Day, a joyous holiday that has been around for 20 years to encourage Americans to show some team spirit before the college football season.
“The most fun part was working out with Raheem Mostert,” Williams said of the Purdue alumnus. “I play against him a lot with the Dolphins, but to be able to work out with him off the field and laugh and joke about the times we played against each other was just awesome.”
“It's going to be different for the players because they're used to a four-team playoff,” Williams said of the 12-team College Football Playoff.
But the Birmingham native believes the Crimson Tide and new coach Cullen DeBoer will be fine, even in this season of change.
“They're very well coached,” Williams said. “They have a great defensive coach and an offensive coach. They're definitely going to be prepared for this season. They're going to follow their coaches' instructions, be consistent and give it their all.”
