Grey-Shirt Season Prepping Speedy 2020 JUCO CB JaQuere Williams for Freshman Season

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

In sports, nothing beats size, speed, strength and knowledge of the game. After a standout high school career for Neuqua Valley (IL) that was cut short during his senior year due to a shoulder injury, JaQuere Williams is back at it physically and mentally preparing himself for junior college football with San Bernardino Valley. A grey-shirt 2017 season allowed Williams to absorb more of the game while adding size and speed to his 6-0, 175 pound, frame with 4.41 speed. In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with Williams for insight on his first semester in the JUCO ranks while learning about his offseason goals.

Interview

JaQuere, in high school you played on both sides of the field playing receiver but stood out at corner. How did your senior year play out at corner?

“Overall, it was probably my best year. My goal that year was to be the best lockdown corner I could be. I wanted chances to make plays, but my goal was to make sure quarterbacks did not go my way. If he did throw it, I would make a play. It was a good season for me. I felt like I had one bad game but overall a good season.”

When you left Neuqua Valley which areas of your game at corner did you consider to be the strengths of your game?

“The strengths of my game were more in man coverage instead of zone coverage. I am a hands-on corner. Since I injured my shoulder, I could not press as much, but that helped me with zone coverage. Overall, my zone and my man were my strong suits and I have a lot of speed. You can’t rely on speed always, you have to rely on technique.”

How did you strengthen your game during the 2017 season?

“When I first started, I was able to workout with the team in the offseason. I worked separately on DB drills given to me by the coaches. The main thing, I was able to do was watch and learn. Going to all the practices, I learned a lot about one-on-one coverage, schemes, and our plays. When I first started running with the guys, they were fast as well. I know I will have to step it up against better competition.”

What are you working on this offseason?

“I am working on two things, getting stronger in weight room and I want to gain five more pounds. When it comes to tackling as a corner, you have to be stronger against these big backs. I’m benching above 225 now. I’m always working on technique.”

What type of defense does SBV run?

“We run a 3-4 multiple defense. But, It might change this year.”

How does that defense fit your playing abilities?

“We run a lot of man coverage. In practices now, we are doing a lot of running around and conditioning getting ready for the season. We had some good D-linemen last year that put pressure on the quarterback, hopefully we’ll get that same play this year making our job a little easier jumping on quick throws and bad passes.

How are your offseason workouts coming along?

“Great. I think we train like a D-I school. During the season, we lifted maybe twice a week with more of a focus on technique. This offseason, we are lifting four days a week. One day we might do strength work then another day work on speed and agility lifts. It has been a great offseason so far. The way they are preparing us, I feel like we will have a great season in 2018.”

What is the fastest 40-yard dash time you’ve posted?

“I ran a 4.41 at Illinois State.”

Wow. What was your GPA last semester?

“I had a 3.67.”

What is your favorite class taken so far at SBV?

“My favorite class this semester is U.S. Native American History. It is a great class. The teacher has made it fun for us. We had to read six books and had to write a lot of essays, but I was looking forward to going to class every day. Finding out what happened to Native Americans and what is going on even today has been of great interest to me.”

What goals have you set for this offseason?

“My main goal is with my academics. I want to keep a high GPA. I want to keep a 3.5 or better. I want to be viewed as a student-athlete. With football, I want to be stronger overall, learn more techniques, and get better overall on the field with my game.”

We’ve talked before about classwork, why are your grades so important to you?

“Ever since Coach Wright from Murray State backed off an offer to me because of my academics, I have buckled down on my education. I went from Illinois to California to take care of academics first. Whichever school offers me, I want them to know I am taking school serious. They are getting a great student-athlete, one they can rely and depend on in the classroom and on the field.”

JaQuere, thanks for your time today and good luck with your offseason workouts.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credit: recruitingnewsguru.com; JaQuere Williams