WEST POINT – Jabril Williams has established himself as a special teams legend over his first two seasons with Army, even if he disagrees with the title.
Late last season as Army scrapped for wins, it was Williams who set the tone with a punt block that was returned for a touchdown against Holy Cross. A week later against Coastal Carolina the roles were reversed as Brett Gerena got the punt block and Williams returned it 37 yards for a touchdown.
In his freshman season of 2022 Williams also had a punt block against Connecticut that turned into a touchdown. But his biggest play came in the Army-Navy game when Noah Short blocked a punt and Williams recovered the ball before it crossed the end line for a touchdown right before halftime – Army went on to win that game 20-17 in double overtime.
“Some people do talk to me about it,’’ Williams said Monday. “I explain to them that I’m the idiot who almost threw the ball out of the end zone and lost the game.’’
Williams would rather heap praise on his talented teammates than accept kudos for being in the right place at the right time.
Take Saturday’s second preseason scrimmage, for example. Matthew Rhodes got off a good punt and Williams had to beat freshman Devan Moss.
“He put me in position to have to really work to get that ball,’’ Williams said of Moss. He did, downing the ball at the 2-yard line.
It doesn’t matter if it’s 25,000 people in the stands or just 20, Williams plays all out to honor his team and teammates.
“Team comes first,’’ he says proudly.
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Williams, who hails from Joliet, Illinois, said his passion for special teams play was developed during his freshman year of 2022 when he was primarily a scout team player. He credits teammates like Connor Bishop, Jimmy Ciarlo, Gavin Sheilds and Gerena for helping him become the player he is today. “I shared the field with absolute dogs,’’ Williams praised.
“The senior class did such an awesome job at making sure the scout team players knew that they were appreciated,’’ Williams said. “I feel like every single player out there is just another scout team player (and) I want to give them my all. I want to make sure that everyone that I’m playing with knows that the passion that we share is ultimately going to win us the game. And when you’re surrounded by such good people and such good coaches, it’s easy to want to go out there and make the outcome of the play positive and to give it your all and to play like it’s your last play on the field ever.’’
Williams has been getting a lot of work as cornerback during the preseason. He said it would be “cool” to crack the two-deep lineup but he said he would play anywhere the coaches assign him – that’s why he’s been seeing time on kickoff and kick return as well as punt and punt return.
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Having made his junior-year affirmation this weekend, Williams is looking forward to his final two years at West Point. He’d like to branch infantry and he desires to go to Ranger School. He’s also entertaining graduate school studies with hopes of going into business management or law.
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“The feeling to finally solidify my commitment to my country and my service to this nation … I can’t describe with words,’’ he said. “I’m so thankful to be here and to have this opportunity to do this.’’
X / Twitter: @KenMcMillanTHR
This article originally appeared on Times Herald-Record: Army cornerback Jabril Williams proud of his special teams play
