In the press release announcing the eight Northern Illinois football players who were named to the 2024 All-Mid-American Conference Team, defensive end Roy Williams is described by head coach Thomas Hammock as someone who “doesn’t say much but plays with a very physical mentality.”
So, does this mean the 6-foot-6, 251-pound Shepard graduate is a gentle giant?
“I guess, yeah,” Williams said. “I leave the talking to everyone else. I just suit up and play.
“They just need to let me know when we’re playing. I love that. I just try to get the job done the best way I can and help my team win. That’s all I want to do.”
Williams — who was picked for the All-MAC Second Team — was an integral part of a Huskies defense that led the MAC in total defense, sacks, third-down conversion percentage and passing defense while holding opponents to less than 18 points per game during the regular season.
He had 37 tackles in 12 games, tying him for seventh on the team. He added 6.5 tackles for loss. The health and science major also had two pass breakups, one quarterback hurry and one forced fumble.
“Honestly, I told coach (Hammock) that this season has just been like a learning experience for me,” Williams said. “I feel like I’ve paid my dues. That’s what it’s been.
“Last year was not my greatest season but I worked hard in the offseason and it’s paid off. I’m getting stronger and getting more comfortable in my play and with our defense. My pass rush definitely needed improvement. … I practiced with our O-line and I got used to being in situations that I’m not typically in. I had to be uncomfortable to become comfortable.”
Williams’ two biggest games this season came against North Carolina State and UMass in Weeks 4 and 5. At N.C. State, Williams had six tackles and one sack. In the next game against visiting UMass, Williams had five tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss.
“My strengths are my run-stopping capabilities and also my ability to close the pocket and get in the quarterback’s face,” Williams said. “I need to finish the play (better) but those are my two strengths right now.
“Your hips are everything. Where your hips are faced is where you’ll go. If you have your hips in the right spot, that allows you to make more plays.”
NIU finished its season on Dec. 23 as it took on Fresno State in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl in Boise.
Kudos for Kaitie
Carthage’s Kaitie Rohe, a 5-foot-11 senior outside hitter/right side, was named to the All-College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin’s First Team in women’s volleyball.
The Shepard graduate placed eighth in the conference with 283 kills across 99 sets. Averaging 2.86 kills per set, she resident achieved her season-best of 18 kills against North Central on Sept. 25 and wrapped up the regular season with double-digit kills in Carthage’s last seven matches.
Earlier in the season, Rohe was chosen as the CCIW’s Women’s Volleyball Student-Athlete of the Week for the period ending Nov. 3.