By Ryan Rogers
LSU Sports Information
Every player on a football team has an important role. Whether it is clairvoyant tasks such as leadership, responsibility or attitude, or physical things such as making blocks and tackles, throwing, catching and running with the ball, every player has an important role.
One player that may be responsible for the most difficult role of all, is senior offensive lineman Louis Williams. Williams’ assignment: to lead and help build cohesion among a young and injury plagued offensive line through demonstrating his versatility to play a number of positions.
Williams is enjoying his senior year. A big win over Tennessee and the possibility of a bowl game have him very excited.
“It’s been great for the most part. I feel like I’m having a good senior year,” said Williams.
He has started every game this season and truly has lived up to his senior leadership obligation. He currently has a streak of 29 consecutive starts for LSU. This is outstanding in considering the injury troubles LSU has had at the position.
LSU has played six first time starters this season on the offensive line. Four of which are sophomores and freshmen. Injuries have left LSU with a different starting lineup up front just about every week.
You can’t just throw a player in the game and expect him to play well consistently. You can’t rotate a high number of players and expect it not to tamper with the group’s chemistry. It takes a group effort to block well on every play. If one of the five players misses his block, the play will likely fail to execute.
Contrary to popular belief, the offensive line is an incredibly tough position to play. A lot of strategy, thinking and hard work go into assuring running backs have holes to run through and quarterbacks have time to throw. Nobody knows this more than Louis Williams. As a leader he has tried to help his young teammates learn and execute.
“This year the offensive line has been up and down all year. We need to be more consistent, but the more these young guys play the better we are going to be,” said Williams.
Williams talks about the complexity in a typical blocking scheme.
“Once you break the huddle and get to the line we evaluate what kind of defense they (the opponent) are in. Whether it is a 60, 50 or 40 in example. Then I have to find the “Mike” (middle) linebacker to determine which way I am working. The rest of the line makes their reads and adjusts accordingly. It’s critical that we all have to be on the same page. Before the snap we have to make line calls to adjust to the defense if they are moving around. We then play off of that. There’s a ton of mental things going on before the snap that no one really knows about.
“It’s been a hard road over the last couple years with all the injuries. Lots of guys have been in and out of the lineup. But a positive result of that has been that a lot of guys have gotten a chance to play. We have lots of experienced offensive linemen on this team. We may be a little young, but now we’re starting to develop a solid group.”
That development showed with the offensive lines excellent play against Tennessee. Despite the obstacles, the line persevered, powering LSU to a 38-31 victory. LSU protected Rohan Davey in the pocket giving him time to work. They also were able knock Tennessee off the line, opening many holes, which led to the Tigers to gaining 173 yards rushing against the nation’s fifth ranked rush defense.
What makes Williams so valuable is his versatility. He has played center, guard and tackle while at LSU. His experience makes him a worthy mentor to his younger teammates.
“I’ve been flip-flopped all over the offensive line.”
That doesn’t bother Williams at all. He’s a very unselfish player who just wants what’s best for his team.
“I know they’re (coaches) just gonna try to get the best five guys out on the field. Wherever they put me I have to go out there and play well where they put me.”
He has worked very hard all year long not only to be a good player, but to be a good leader. Williams was one of the hardest workers during the off-season for LSU. His determination and work ethic are renown. He knows what it takes to be successful offensive lineman.
“You have to be really tough both mentally and physically. You have to be ready to go out and play every week. You have to fight through many injuries. As an offensive lineman you will deal with lots of bumps and bruises.”
In conveying his message to the younger players, he knows building a solid relationship with his teammates is very important. The LSU offensive lineman can be seen together quite often on LSU’s campus.
“We are definitely are a tight knit group. We have to be one person out there, even though there are five individuals. We constantly hang out with one another. We have to know what each of us is thinking.”
The Florida native has been pleased with his experience at LSU. He is glad he made the decision to come to LSU five years ago.
“I really enjoyed it over here when I took my visit,” said Williams. “I enjoyed the coaches and the players that were on the team at the time. I really felt I it was the best situation for me. It’s been a great experience at LSU. We have a great academic staff over here. I’m going to graduate in three and a half years. I have a lot of friends here that I’ve really grown close too and I will keep for many years.
“Everywhere I go people know me, just from being on this football team. It’s a great environment to live and go to school for an athlete at LSU. I’ve matured since coming to LSU. I’ve learned to manage my time better. You really have too because you’re stretched in so many different directions.”
After this season, Williams is keeping his options open for his immediate future. He would like to give the NFL a shot pending he is given an opportunity. If not he says he will consider playing in a minor league affiliated with the NFL such as NFL Europe. Williams is scheduled to graduate this December with a degree in Pre-Medicine. He is considering going to medical school and pursuing a career as a physical therapist.