Durability is a key attribute for college football prospects, as pro teams want to know they can rely on a player to be available as much as possible.
If your favorite NFL team is looking for a workhorse to add to their defensive line in the 2020 NFL Draft, Michigan State’s Raequan Williams is the man for the job.
Williams recently spoke exclusively with Draft Wire about his impressive career for the Spartans, his experience at the NFL Scouting Combine, and how he’s been able to overcome tragedy and adversity in his life.
JM: You made 42 straight starts at defensive tackle for Michigan State. How have you been so durable?
RW: That’s one of my favorite accomplishments. I don’t even know how I made that happen, to be honest with you. 42 straight starts on the defensive line is kinda crazy. My coaching staff told me a few years ago that I was their guy at that spot and I just ran with it. I’m happy that I was able to repay their trust in me.
JM: You almost quit football after having to deal with a personal tragedy a few years ago. Where did you find the motivation and strength to keep going?
RW: I found the strength in my mother. She’s the best role model I could ever ask for. I know that she had a tough life growing up. She’s always been so strong. She’s living proof that anything is possible. She had me when she was 14 years old. The fact that I’m even in this position, I beat the odds. It’s kinda crazy. Statistically speaking, there’s no way that I was supposed to make it in life. People don’t make it where I come from. The background that I have, we’re against the odds. But here I am. I’m here. It shows me that anything is possible. I’m striving for greatness.
JM: Have you thought about the positive impact that you can have on your community?
RW: Oh yeah, most definitely. That’s the most important thing to me. I wanna inspire somebody from my family or from my community to strive for more. I want people in my community to chase their dreams. There’s more to life. A lot of people where I come from don’t believe that it’s possible. I wanna change the way that they think. I’m living proof. Hopefully, I can inspire a generation of kids.
JM: What was your experience like at the NFL Scouting Combine?
RW: I had a good time out there. It was a nice experience. I thought it was great. I enjoyed working with the different coaches and meeting some NFL personnel. It was very hands-on. It gave me an opportunity to show off my athletic ability. It was all fun and games. I had a great experience.
JM: Did you have many formal or informal interviews out there?
RW: Yeah, I had a lot of informals. A lot of them, actually. I probably met with every single team informally. I can’t recall a team that I didn’t have an informal with. I really enjoyed it.
JM: Were you able to get in any private visits or workouts before the spread of COVID-19 shut everything down?
RW: Unfortunately, I was not. Everything was scheduled to go down after my pro day, but that got canceled and we had to switch it up. We had to move everything to the phones.
JM: So I imagine you’ve been meeting with teams via FaceTime and such?
RW: Yeah, I’ve had a lot of phone calls via FaceTime. I’ve been breaking down film with them and what not.
JM: Who are some of the teams that you’ve met with over the phone?
RW: I’ve met with so many different teams. Off the top of my head, I can recall meeting with the New England Patriots, Philadelphia Eagles, Atlanta Falcons, Buffalo Bills and Los Angeles Rams. I’ve met with quite a few teams but those are the ones that come to mind right now.
JM: What was the strangest question that you were asked at the combine?
RW: I wouldn’t say that I had anything that I considered off the wall. One team asked me if I’ve ever been a fight. I thought that was pretty funny (laughs).
JM: How did you answer that?
RW: I think everybody in the world has been in a fight before (laughs). Coming from where I come from, I’ve definitely been in a fight before. I’ve been in a few fights in my lifetime. I thought it was like a joke at first. I kinda laughed the question off.
JM: Do you think you’re more advanced as a run stopper or pass rusher at this point?
RW: I’m more comfortable in the run game. That’s what Michigan State’s defense was built on. We were built to stop the run. I’m more dominant in the run game. My pass rush arsenal has really improved throughout college, though.
JM: What scheme did you predominantly play in at Michigan State? Is there something you’re more comfortable playing in at the next level?
RW: We ran a 4-3 over at Michigan State. I can see myself plugging up the middle in a bunch of different schemes, though. I can play an in under or an over. I can play in the 3-4 as well. I can sit in the middle of any scheme, honestly. I’m a very coach-able guy. I love learning new things. That’s why I can see myself playing in any scheme.
JM: Who are some of the best offensive linemen you’ve gone up against?
RW: I’m not great with names. That one guy that went to Rutgers and then transferred to Ohio State, he was a good one. He wore No. 73 [Jonah Jackson]. I liked his game. I remember playing Oregon back in 2017, they had this freshmen tackle that was pretty good. He was legit. Those two players really stuck out to me.
JM: What kind of impact are you going to make at the next level?
RW: I’m trying to be the greatest. I’m not trying to be average. Average has never been a goal of mine. That word is not in my vocabulary. I have to prove a lot of people wrong. I’m ready for what’s next.
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