North Carolina State University Athletics
Program Spotlight: Julian Williams
11/13/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
By Patrick Norris, NC State Media Relations
NC State starting guard Julian Williams is in his final season as a college football player. Williams has grown up quickly, however, and in many ways is mature beyond his years.
The consummate student-athlete, Williams has already earned his degree. In addition, he is a family man off the field as a proud father of a 3 1/2 year-old daughter, Julianna. He had his first job at the age of nine working construction in the family business, and credits those long, hard hours with teaching him the responsibility needed today in the other aspects of his life.
"I was pretty much forced into working construction at first," Williams said of the family business, which included his grandfather (carpenter and mason), uncle (mason) and father (general contractor). "It wasn't really my choice. But I enjoyed it and it taught me things like responsibility. I've never had a real job besides that, even now, so I'm thankful for it and what it taught me.
"It taught me discipline and a strong work ethic. It's similar to playing football because you have to be on-time, and be responsible and do your part of the job for it to be a success. Both teach you how to work as a team and from an early age, because of the work with my family, what to expect and how to work together."
Until he got to middle school, though, Williams didn't have a chance to be part of a football team because of his size.
"I was overweight as a kid, so there wasn't a chance for me to play football when I was younger because of the weight limits," Williams said. "The big kids couldn't play when they were younger but I always played in my neighborhood and loved the sport for as long as I remember."
His large stature did naturally lend itself to his position – offensive line.
"I always played offensive line," Williams said. "I enjoy playing on the line because there is contact every play and you are guaranteed a chance to hit someone on every snap."
Is there another reason why he always stayed in the trenches instead of lining up under center, for example?
"I'm pretty bad and I can't even throw a spiral," Williams said. "If I had to play any position besides mine it would be quarterback, but I'd need to practice my throwing because I've never touched a ball before in a game before."
Despite his inability to throw a tight spiral, Williams is still a fine athlete. He played basketball and competed on the track and field team in high school.
"I did the shot put and discus, but I also ran," Williams said. "I actually ran the 100 meters and 200 meters in high school when I was about 285 pounds. I was around 11.9 in the 100 meters. That wasn't a great time but not bad for a big guy."
Football is where he would truly excel however, and he received his first scholarship offer from NC State before his house was soon flooded with schools wanting to sign the lineman.
"I didn't really understand it too much at the time what it really meant to get a scholarship to a school like NC State, but my coach called my mother and she was very excited for me," Williams said. "She told me to get my grades together and the rest will take care of itself."
Williams has had an injury-filled career dating back to his junior year in high school. He tore three knee ligaments as a junior, then tore his ACL at basketball practice his senior year after getting selected to the Shrine Bowl, a showcase for the top talent in North and South Carolina prep football.
After rehabbing and redshirting the 2005 season at NC State, Williams started nine games in 2007 before suffering another knee injury. He regained his starting job and started the first five games of 2008 before missing three games last season.
Williams stuck with it and worked his way back into the lineup this season. He has played in 26 career games – starting 21 – alternating between guard and tackle over the last two seasons.
Through it all, Williams graduated in four years and is finishing his athletic eligibility 2009.
"Getting my degree was big," Williams said. "That's what you really come to college for. Obviously I came to play football but you are still a student-athlete. I've knocked the student part out of the way and playing as a postgrad is great because I can concentrate on football a bit more.
"I want to play in the NFL but I do have a degree now though so I know I can still be productive and have a good life in society outside of football."
Williams has also spent the last three-plus years as the proud father of Julianna.
"For me, being a father lets me know that it isn't just about me anymore," Williams said. "Someone else is depending on me now. I take an approach that this is a great responsibility and I need to provide for my family now, not just for me. I want to be there for her when she needs me. I grew up with two parents, so I see how important it is to have my daughter grow up with two parents in her life. She is really starting to understand when I'm there and when I'm not, so it's important that I remain committed to her.
"I wouldn't trade it for anything. It's probably my favorite thing in life right now."
Despite not being able to spend every day with her, Williams is committed to being a strong father.
"At times she lives up here with me, but she is in pre-school now back in New Bern, so its hard because I don't get to see her as much as I would like," Williams said. "On the weekends I get to spend as much time as I can with her outside of football.
"She comes first to me. I know I have football, but she is still first."
Williams' own parents have been the biggest influence on his life and what type of father he wants to be.
"My parents are the model for me on how to do things," Williams said. "I learned my responsibilities from watching them, it wasn't so much what they told me but just from watching how they raised me and took care of my family. They were always there for me, no matter if I was right or wrong."
That attitude and dedication to values and family will make Julian Williams a success, with or without football.
NC State starting guard Julian Williams is in his final season as a college football player. Williams has grown up quickly, however, and in many ways is mature beyond his years.
The consummate student-athlete, Williams has already earned his degree. In addition, he is a family man off the field as a proud father of a 3 1/2 year-old daughter, Julianna. He had his first job at the age of nine working construction in the family business, and credits those long, hard hours with teaching him the responsibility needed today in the other aspects of his life.
"I was pretty much forced into working construction at first," Williams said of the family business, which included his grandfather (carpenter and mason), uncle (mason) and father (general contractor). "It wasn't really my choice. But I enjoyed it and it taught me things like responsibility. I've never had a real job besides that, even now, so I'm thankful for it and what it taught me.
"It taught me discipline and a strong work ethic. It's similar to playing football because you have to be on-time, and be responsible and do your part of the job for it to be a success. Both teach you how to work as a team and from an early age, because of the work with my family, what to expect and how to work together."
Until he got to middle school, though, Williams didn't have a chance to be part of a football team because of his size.
"I was overweight as a kid, so there wasn't a chance for me to play football when I was younger because of the weight limits," Williams said. "The big kids couldn't play when they were younger but I always played in my neighborhood and loved the sport for as long as I remember."
His large stature did naturally lend itself to his position – offensive line.
"I always played offensive line," Williams said. "I enjoy playing on the line because there is contact every play and you are guaranteed a chance to hit someone on every snap."
Is there another reason why he always stayed in the trenches instead of lining up under center, for example?
"I'm pretty bad and I can't even throw a spiral," Williams said. "If I had to play any position besides mine it would be quarterback, but I'd need to practice my throwing because I've never touched a ball before in a game before."
Despite his inability to throw a tight spiral, Williams is still a fine athlete. He played basketball and competed on the track and field team in high school.
"I did the shot put and discus, but I also ran," Williams said. "I actually ran the 100 meters and 200 meters in high school when I was about 285 pounds. I was around 11.9 in the 100 meters. That wasn't a great time but not bad for a big guy."
Football is where he would truly excel however, and he received his first scholarship offer from NC State before his house was soon flooded with schools wanting to sign the lineman.
"I didn't really understand it too much at the time what it really meant to get a scholarship to a school like NC State, but my coach called my mother and she was very excited for me," Williams said. "She told me to get my grades together and the rest will take care of itself."
Williams has had an injury-filled career dating back to his junior year in high school. He tore three knee ligaments as a junior, then tore his ACL at basketball practice his senior year after getting selected to the Shrine Bowl, a showcase for the top talent in North and South Carolina prep football.
After rehabbing and redshirting the 2005 season at NC State, Williams started nine games in 2007 before suffering another knee injury. He regained his starting job and started the first five games of 2008 before missing three games last season.
Williams stuck with it and worked his way back into the lineup this season. He has played in 26 career games – starting 21 – alternating between guard and tackle over the last two seasons.
Through it all, Williams graduated in four years and is finishing his athletic eligibility 2009.
"Getting my degree was big," Williams said. "That's what you really come to college for. Obviously I came to play football but you are still a student-athlete. I've knocked the student part out of the way and playing as a postgrad is great because I can concentrate on football a bit more.
"I want to play in the NFL but I do have a degree now though so I know I can still be productive and have a good life in society outside of football."
Williams has also spent the last three-plus years as the proud father of Julianna.
"For me, being a father lets me know that it isn't just about me anymore," Williams said. "Someone else is depending on me now. I take an approach that this is a great responsibility and I need to provide for my family now, not just for me. I want to be there for her when she needs me. I grew up with two parents, so I see how important it is to have my daughter grow up with two parents in her life. She is really starting to understand when I'm there and when I'm not, so it's important that I remain committed to her.
"I wouldn't trade it for anything. It's probably my favorite thing in life right now."
Despite not being able to spend every day with her, Williams is committed to being a strong father.
"At times she lives up here with me, but she is in pre-school now back in New Bern, so its hard because I don't get to see her as much as I would like," Williams said. "On the weekends I get to spend as much time as I can with her outside of football.
"She comes first to me. I know I have football, but she is still first."
Williams' own parents have been the biggest influence on his life and what type of father he wants to be.
"My parents are the model for me on how to do things," Williams said. "I learned my responsibilities from watching them, it wasn't so much what they told me but just from watching how they raised me and took care of my family. They were always there for me, no matter if I was right or wrong."
That attitude and dedication to values and family will make Julian Williams a success, with or without football.
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