Name: Tre Williams
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 320 lbs.
High school: Washington (DC) St. John's
Position: Defensive tackle
Class: Sixth year senior
Jersey number: #0
Last year: Williams played for Clemson. He started three games and made 14 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, and 2 pass breakups over fourteen contests.
TTB Rating: N/A
Williams comes to Michigan from Clemson, and I'm going out on a little bit of a limb ranking him up here at #22 but there's a reason. Williams's performance in Death Valley has not been outstanding over the years, but when I watch the film, I see a guy that I think has some good potential. He's a little on the short side and can get swallowed up by offensive linemen once in a while, but his quickness is intriguing and I think he's the defensive tackle (outside of Rayshaun Benny) most likely to create a pass rush. That would be a big deal for a defensive tackle group that lost Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant.
When I watched Williams at Clemson, I really think there are a couple small changes he can make to improve, and they mostly have to do with leverage and hand placement. If defensive line coach Lou Esposito can get Williams to play a little bit lower "with his hands above his eyeballs," I think he's going to generate some push on the interior that will make it very difficult for opposing quarterbacks to escape since they'll be hemmed in by some quality pass rushers on the edge. Alabama transfer Damon Payne may be a better run stopper, but Williams has the potential to get in the backfield and make some splashier plays.
Prediction: Starting defensive tackle
Grown man!
ReplyDeleteI wasn't too high on his film or Payne's, but both looked better than Etta & Ike, and depth is how we win in the 4th Q. Very solid pickups!
seems similar to that recent transfer goode. fire hydrant body type who rotates heavily, often pass rushing from the 0 or 1
ReplyDelete"A little on the short side" ... I was always under the impression the defensive tackles can't be too tall, or it creates problems getting leverage under the pads of the offensive linemen, who are typically 6'5" and above. Mason Graham was listed as 6'3" on the MGoBlue 2024 roster ... but from what I understand (Urban Meyer commented on this) he was *excellent* with his use of hands.
ReplyDeleteSo that leads me to wonder: what's the "ideal" DT body profile?
Yep it's 6'4 finance blue eyes
Delete"Finance blue eyes?"
DeleteYep just a joke referencing a meme.
DeleteActual answer is I agree with you that Williams height is not really a problem. You want squat and dense and low for leverage purpose but length can help for reach and batting balls down. Overall mass is relevant too as a 6'4 guy can carry 330 pounds differently than a 5'11 guy so the shorter you get the less likely you can carry that same mass while delivering optimal athleticism.
At the NFL level the all-pros are mostly 6'3 to 6'5 so that's probably optimal.
The "concern" about Graham not having prototypical physical traits (especially arm length) was discussed over the last couple years but he went high anyway. Not a problem.
Anyway Williams at 6'2 is a notch below prototypical but that can go from 95% irrelevant to 100% moot if he has an extra inch or two of wingspan.
Thanks, that's helpful. So, Mason Graham two inches taller and with arms two inches longer would have made NFL GMs drool even more.
DeleteYep I think so. There was already a puddle though.
DeleteYep I have him in the top 10. There's definitely depth at DT but we need the rotation and Williams seems like the only other guy besides Benny to have all-conference potential. Payne is a solid role player. Iwunnah an OK depth piece. Pierce or even Etta could elevate to that higher level but most likely a year away. Williams is really a critical player here at a critical position.
ReplyDeleteThere's a reason Michigan paid big $ to get him. Big time need.