Alabama Crimson Tide: Tim Williams
Spring evaluation: Defensive front seven 
May, 7, 2013
May 7
11:00
AM ET
By
Alex Scarborough | ESPN.com
Editor's note: TideNation will use this week to look at the four major positions on the football field and how their outlook has changed after spring practice. Today we examine the front seven:
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Introducing the class: Tim Williams
February, 15, 2013
Feb 15
3:09
PM ET
By
Greg Ostendorf | ESPN.com
Editor's note: This is a series introducing Alabama's 2013 recruiting class that will continue to run after signing day.
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- For the second consecutive year, Alabama stole the top player in Louisiana away from LSU. Last year it was five-star safety Landon Collins, and this year it’s Tim Williams, a native of Baton Rouge. Williams played defensive end in high school and at the Under Armour All-America Game, but he’s expected to play outside linebacker, primarily the Sam linebacker position, for the Crimson Tide.
Q: What made you sign with Alabama?
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- For the second consecutive year, Alabama stole the top player in Louisiana away from LSU. Last year it was five-star safety Landon Collins, and this year it’s Tim Williams, a native of Baton Rouge. Williams played defensive end in high school and at the Under Armour All-America Game, but he’s expected to play outside linebacker, primarily the Sam linebacker position, for the Crimson Tide.
Q: What made you sign with Alabama?
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TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- By any statistical measurement, Alabama's signing class this year was a success. The number of ESPN 300 members who faxed in their paperwork was staggering. Thirteen signees were ranked in the top 10 nationally at their positions.
The No. 1 class ranking was just a distinction. Simply hauling in top recruits won't get a team too far. UA coach Nick Saban knows this well. As he and his staff were building the class, they had goals in mind. The road map was simple.
"We didn’t change the recruiting strategy," Saban said. "We define the kind of players that we want, and they have critical factors at each position. I think we added fast-twitch, pass-rushing athletic guys to the defensive line category as being a higher priority because of spread offenses, more spread offenses, more athletic quarterbacks -- those types of things, the same things that NFL teams are talking about when they play against RG3 or [Colin] Kaepernick or Russell Wilson from Seattle, who are athletic and run the ball. We have to be able to adapt to that kind of athleticism and that means we have to be more athletic to do that."
In other words, Saban is gearing up for three more years of Johnny Manziel and Texas A&M. The Aggies were the only team to beat Alabama in 2012, and after watching the future Heisman Trophy winner carve up his defense, Saban is ready to react.
The No. 1 class ranking was just a distinction. Simply hauling in top recruits won't get a team too far. UA coach Nick Saban knows this well. As he and his staff were building the class, they had goals in mind. The road map was simple.
"We didn’t change the recruiting strategy," Saban said. "We define the kind of players that we want, and they have critical factors at each position. I think we added fast-twitch, pass-rushing athletic guys to the defensive line category as being a higher priority because of spread offenses, more spread offenses, more athletic quarterbacks -- those types of things, the same things that NFL teams are talking about when they play against RG3 or [Colin] Kaepernick or Russell Wilson from Seattle, who are athletic and run the ball. We have to be able to adapt to that kind of athleticism and that means we have to be more athletic to do that."
In other words, Saban is gearing up for three more years of Johnny Manziel and Texas A&M. The Aggies were the only team to beat Alabama in 2012, and after watching the future Heisman Trophy winner carve up his defense, Saban is ready to react.
The O-zone: A look ahead to signing day
January, 16, 2013
Jan 16
9:00
AM ET
By
Greg Ostendorf | ESPN.com
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- On Monday, the University of Alabama picked up commitment No. 21 for the class of 2013 when ESPN 150 defensive end Tim Williams committed to the Crimson Tide following his official visit to Tuscaloosa this past weekend.
With the latest addition, this year’s class is beginning to fill up fast with just a few precious spots still available. This week’s O-zone takes a look at the remaining targets, who Alabama will likely finish with and which top recruits will be on campus this weekend as the Tide celebrate their latest national championship.
With the latest addition, this year’s class is beginning to fill up fast with just a few precious spots still available. This week’s O-zone takes a look at the remaining targets, who Alabama will likely finish with and which top recruits will be on campus this weekend as the Tide celebrate their latest national championship.
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DB Cook enjoys official visit to Bama
January, 15, 2013
Jan 15
11:37
PM ET
By
Greg Ostendorf | ESPN.com
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Over the weekend, in-state cornerback Jonathan Cook made his first trip to the University of Alabama since he committed to the Crimson Tide last month. It was Cook’s official visit, and he already can’t wait to get back to Tuscaloosa.
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Luginbill, on Bama's Williams coup
January, 15, 2013
Jan 15
5:36
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By RecruitingNation | ESPN.com
Tom Luginbill breaks down the Tide's addition of defensive end Tim Williams, the No. 36 overall player in the ESPN 150. Most impressive: Alabama plucked Williams from a high school in Baton Rouge.
Big recruiting news for Alabama, Auburn
January, 15, 2013
Jan 15
10:30
AM ET
By
Edward Aschoff | ESPN.com
There are mixed emotions in the state of Alabama this morning when it comes to the world of recruiting. Alabama's football program received some very good news on the recruiting front, while Auburn lost one of its top recruits.
The Crimson Tide picked up a verbal commitment from ESPN 150 defensive end Tim Williams of Baton Rouge, La., Monday, less than 24 hours after he took an official visit to Alabama's campus. Williams is ranked the No. 36 overall prospect in the 2013 class and is rated the No. 1 player in the state of Louisiana.
While Williams is listed as the No. 5 defensive end in the country, he projects as a linebacker at the next level and plans to play either the Jack or Sam position for the Tide. Williams' commitment now gives the Tide 21 verbals in its 2013 class. Ten are ranked in the ESPN 150 and Alabama currently has the No. 2 class in the ESPN RecruitingNation Class Rankings.
Here's a quick scouting report
from ESPN recruiting analyst Craig Haubert on Williams.
As for Auburn, the news wasn't as good Monday, as ESPN 150 defensive tackle Dee Liner of Muscle Shoals, Ala., decommitted from Tigers.
Liner is the No. 26 overall prospect in the country and the No. 4 defensive tackle in the 2013 class. Liner had been committed to Auburn since June 2011, but decided to reopen his recruitment after all of Auburn's coaching changes. Liner will now make his final decision on national signing day and Alabama is the perceived frontrunner for his services.
Auburn now has 15 verbal commitments and the No. 12 recruiting class.
The Crimson Tide picked up a verbal commitment from ESPN 150 defensive end Tim Williams of Baton Rouge, La., Monday, less than 24 hours after he took an official visit to Alabama's campus. Williams is ranked the No. 36 overall prospect in the 2013 class and is rated the No. 1 player in the state of Louisiana.
While Williams is listed as the No. 5 defensive end in the country, he projects as a linebacker at the next level and plans to play either the Jack or Sam position for the Tide. Williams' commitment now gives the Tide 21 verbals in its 2013 class. Ten are ranked in the ESPN 150 and Alabama currently has the No. 2 class in the ESPN RecruitingNation Class Rankings.
Here's a quick scouting report
from ESPN recruiting analyst Craig Haubert on Williams.
As for Auburn, the news wasn't as good Monday, as ESPN 150 defensive tackle Dee Liner of Muscle Shoals, Ala., decommitted from Tigers.
Liner is the No. 26 overall prospect in the country and the No. 4 defensive tackle in the 2013 class. Liner had been committed to Auburn since June 2011, but decided to reopen his recruitment after all of Auburn's coaching changes. Liner will now make his final decision on national signing day and Alabama is the perceived frontrunner for his services.
Auburn now has 15 verbal commitments and the No. 12 recruiting class.
CB Smith talks Tide visit, new DBs coach
January, 14, 2013
Jan 14
11:49
PM ET
By
Greg Ostendorf | ESPN.com
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- If you wanted to know where Tim Williams was going before Monday, you should’ve asked ESPN 150 cornerback Maurice Smith. The Alabama commitment spent all weekend with Williams in Tuscaloosa while the two were on their official visits, and Williams shared the news of his commitment with Smith on Saturday.
Williams waited until Monday to go public with his decision, but either way, Smith was excited about the new addition.
Williams waited until Monday to go public with his decision, but either way, Smith was excited about the new addition.
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Scouts: Williams fits at OLB for the Tide
January, 14, 2013
Jan 14
8:35
PM ET
By
Craig Haubert | ESPN.com
Alabama added a 10th ESPN 150 prospect to their 2013 class in Tim Williams (Baton Rouge, La./University Lab). This is a big pickup for the national champs because for they were able to pluck the four-star prospect who hails from Baton Rouge, La., but even more importantly because Williams is a promising player. He is listed as the No. 5 defensive end, but in Alabama’s defensive scheme he will make a move to linebacker and that should suit him well.
At this stage, he is a bit of a DE/LB ‘tweener and has somewhat of a slight build for the defensive end position and a move to linebacker in their scheme should actually be more of an ideal fit for him. While not a physically imposing prospect, Williams does possess very good playing strength and that should only improve with continued physical development. He is a physical and very active defender who can develop into not only a pass-rushing threat, but also a tough run defender.
At this stage, he is a bit of a DE/LB ‘tweener and has somewhat of a slight build for the defensive end position and a move to linebacker in their scheme should actually be more of an ideal fit for him. While not a physically imposing prospect, Williams does possess very good playing strength and that should only improve with continued physical development. He is a physical and very active defender who can develop into not only a pass-rushing threat, but also a tough run defender.
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Saban, Tide continue success in Louisiana
January, 14, 2013
Jan 14
7:13
PM ET
By
Greg Ostendorf | ESPN.com
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- It’s one thing to go into Death Valley and steal a win away from LSU in the fourth quarter, but it’s another to go into Baton Rouge and steal a top 50 recruit right out of the Tigers’ backyard.
That’s exactly what Nick Saban and the University of Alabama did on Monday.
ESPN 150 defensive end Tim Williams, who projects as an outside linebacker at Alabama, committed to the Crimson Tide over offers from nearly every major program in the country, including LSU.
That’s exactly what Nick Saban and the University of Alabama did on Monday.
ESPN 150 defensive end Tim Williams, who projects as an outside linebacker at Alabama, committed to the Crimson Tide over offers from nearly every major program in the country, including LSU.
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TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- As signing day approaches, every weekend looms large. It gives the schools a chance to host recruits one last time. The University of Alabama enjoyed a bigger weekend than most as it hosted an impressive group of official visitors that included 10 players ranked in the ESPN 150.
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Bama leads for No. 5 DE after visit
January, 13, 2013
Jan 13
11:51
PM ET
By
Greg Ostendorf | ESPN.com
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- The University of Alabama was the first school to start showing interest in ESPN 150 defensive end Tim Williams (Baton Rouge, La./University Lab) back when he was a freshman. Now, three years later, the Crimson Tide hosted Williams on his first official visit over the weekend.
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The O-zone: Replacing DeMarcus Walker
January, 9, 2013
Jan 9
10:04
AM ET
By
Greg Ostendorf | ESPN.com
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- On Wednesday, seven recruits enrolled early at the University of Alabama, nine if you include walk-on quarterback Luke Del Rio and converted baseball player Jai Miller, but one player was significantly absent -- ESPN 150 defensive end DeMarcus Walker.
Walker committed to the Crimson Tide in August, and his plan was to leave for Tuscaloosa the day after the BCS Championship Game where he would enroll early. However, he flipped his pledge to Florida State immediately after the game, following former UA assistant coach Jeremy Pruitt to Tallahassee. He arrived on FSU’s campus Tuesday.
With Walker no longer a part of the class, Alabama will look to replace him and add at least one, if not two elite defensive linemen. This week’s O-zone breaks down potential options along the defensive line and also takes a look at who's all visiting the Capstone this weekend.
Walker committed to the Crimson Tide in August, and his plan was to leave for Tuscaloosa the day after the BCS Championship Game where he would enroll early. However, he flipped his pledge to Florida State immediately after the game, following former UA assistant coach Jeremy Pruitt to Tallahassee. He arrived on FSU’s campus Tuesday.
With Walker no longer a part of the class, Alabama will look to replace him and add at least one, if not two elite defensive linemen. This week’s O-zone breaks down potential options along the defensive line and also takes a look at who's all visiting the Capstone this weekend.
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On Monday night, the University of Alabama won its second consecutive national championship and its third in the last four years. The Crimson Tide dominated Notre Dame to the tune of 42-14, and the nation’s top recruits took notice.
Members of Alabama’s current class, remaining 2013 targets, and the nation’s elite prospects in 2014 all chimed in after the Tide’s win last night.
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BATON ROUGE, La. -- Reports and rumors circulated Tuesday that ESPN 150 defensive end Tim Williams (Baton Rouge, La./University Lab) would make an announcement Friday on local radio regarding where he was going to school.
Turns out, Williams had news Tuesday, but not the news that was circulating.
Turns out, Williams had news Tuesday, but not the news that was circulating.
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ABOUT TIDE NATION
Greg Ostendorf
Greg Ostendorf joined ESPN.com in 2012 after covering University of Alabama football and basketball recruiting at the Tuscaloosa News and Rivals.com. Ostendorf graduated from the University of Alabama and currently resides in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Email him at gsostendorf.espn@gmail.com.
Alex Scarborough
Alex Scarborough joined ESPN.com in 2012 after covering University of Alabama athletics and high school football for The Tuscaloosa News. He currently resides in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Email him at alexscarborough.espn@gmail.com.