Interview: 2022 Arkansas OC Carson Williams Developing the P5 Skills
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Everything a college football coaches wants in an offensive lineman, and he can snap; that is Class of 2022 center Carson Williams. The leader in the trenches for Fordyce High School helped push the ball up and down the field for the Redbugs bringing home a second consecutive Arkansas state championship. Along the way to immortality in the Fordyce record books, the team posted a 16-0 record with an offense that averaged 43.7 points per game. Their dominating 6-3, 285-pound, lineman was able to do it all, run block at the second level, down block, pass-pro, and was able to pull giving the offense more versatility in its attack. Off the field, Williams is putting the same focus into the books carrying a 3.75 cumulative GPA.
In an RNG first-look, Williams came by the Lab for a detailed conversation covering his All-State worthy performance in 2020.
Interview
Carson, congratulations on the state championship game win over Des Arc (11-2).
Thank you.
With the final score at 35-32, it had to be a thriller. For those of us not there, how did the game go overall for the Redbugs?
It was a hard-fought game. Des Arc, give credit them. They had a great game plan against us. They are a great team. The winner comes out on top, but every time we made a play, they came back at us. Hats off to them, they are a great ball team.
How did that game go for you?
I felt like I had a great game. But I have not seen the film yet. I knew coming in that we’d have to get the push up front and protect our quarterback to get the win. I feel that I did a great job.
What style of offense do you guys run?
The way we run it, most of the time we are in a Spread but if that is not clicking, or we are inside the 15-yard line, we go under center running a Wing. That is when we ground and pound. In the Spread, we do a lot of quick and short pass like screens to the flats trying to distribute the ball in the open field.
As the center, what are your responsibilities in the trenches? Do you call out reads and blocking schemes?
What my coaches want from me is to tell all the linemen all the plays. I am supposed to know everything, everyone’s job up front in case they have questions I can tell them what to do on any play that is called before we line up. If I am seeing extra pressure, I call it out to my quarterback letting him know what is going on.
Throughout the 2020 season, in which game did you give your best performance?
I feel like the Des Arc was my best one. I knew the stage we were on and how good they were. Being out there knowing we are in a state final going back-to-back, that pushed me further than I had before.
There are a lot of traits to your game that I really like, let’s start with your ability to finish off blocks with a pancake and/or knockdown. What’s that internal spark that gets you going ready to dominate like that?
It is me wanting to propel my team to the best we can be. Being around the great group of athletes, I know how good we can be. That pushes me to finish blocks and dominate to create opportunities for my teammates around me.
Did you track pancakes and/or knockdowns this season?
No, sir. I am trying to track it with my final tape. I am going back to watch all our games to take a tally.
If you had to guess, about how many were you getting per game on average?
I’d say around five or six.
That might be a humble guess, but let’s move on. Your strength is a big part of your ability to move defenders against their will. What did you post in the weight room the last time you maxed out?
My bench is what I am most proud of, the last one was 335. My squat, I want to get it up more and I will be focusing on my lower body this offseason, but my last one was upper 400s. I wasn’t at 500 yet.
Your footwork and hips standout to me as well. Your quickness in space allows you to pull and down block in a blink of an eye. How have you developed that part of your skillset?
Most of my skills, I credit my brother Sam. He plays tackle in college. You have to have excellent footwork keeping up with defensive ends playing tackle. Working with him, he is pushing me to get better. That is what has set me apart in that aspect. I credit him.
Where does your brother play college ball?
He plays at Louisiana-Monroe. He’s a redshirt senior.
Nice. As a run and pass blocker, what are the strengths to your game?
I think being able to maneuver up front helps me a lot. A lot of it is my teammates too. Being able to take a first punch or hit, take that and redirect it with my own punch is what helps me do what I do. A lot of what I do is using their own momentum or power against themselves.
I’d say my size is another strength. For a center, I know I am big height wise. I see a lot of smaller centers. With me being almost 6-foot 4-inches, it has its advantageous. Against a smaller defender, I am overpowering him.
The offseason is newly upon you, what will you focus on over the winter and spring months?
I plan on focusing on working on my leg strength, get faster feet, and moving with more agility. Hopefully this season we can do more things up front with me, pull me more, forward blocks, or on crosses. I want to improve on everything so I can go wherever is needed.
Let’s get into recruiting. After the season turned in, which schools are showing interest?
The main school is Army. I had a conversation with their AD a couple of weeks ago. They’ve developed a very good relationship with me. They are a good team with good coaching. Them showing interest like that, it makes me feel good. Memphis is another school showing interest. I had a couple of conversations with them at the beginning of the year.
Which schools has offered?
ULM (Louisiana-Monroe).
When visits began again next year, are there any programs you’d like to go see?
I’d like to go see some local ones like Arkansas. I am homegrown, I love it up there. Every year I try to go to a game up there. I love what they are doing up there. Memphis is another one, and possibly some schools in Mississippi. I want to get my name out there and make some appearances.
Carson, it was great learning more about you and your game today. I appreciate your time and wish you success this offseason preparing for your senior year until we talk again.
Thank you, sir.
Photo credit: Williams family; Carson Williams