Interview: Commanding 4-Star 2022 Maryland DT Kwan Williams Talks Football and Recruiting

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

No matter the defensive scheme, having a nose guard or defensive tackle that can eat up offensive linemen and still make plays can make all the difference in the world in the number of wins that go up on the board. For McDonogh High School, Class of 2022 four-star recruit Kwan Williams is that difference maker. The 6-1, 285-pound, defender is a force in the trenches using a fast get off, strength, and a never-ending motor creating chaos while shutting down the best of designed plays. After starting every game at tackle for the Eagles as a freshman, Williams has tallied 20 stops, 10 solo, with six tackles for a loss and three sacks in stats posted through four games; and doing all of that while also starting at offensive guard. The work has led to a 6-0 star and a No. 6 Maryland in-state ranking (MaxPreps).

In an RNG exclusive interview, I sat down with one of Maryland’s top sophomore talents learning more about his play on the field and his recruiting opportunities.

Interview

Kwan, there are so many things you do on the field that I like. Your get off is quick and you push the pocket back. How did you work on those two things in the offseason so you could dominate off the snap in 2019?

“Over the offseason I worked on my bench press, practiced my get off, and worked on my defensive line technique. I worked all offseason on getting that right.”

While you can manhandle most guards and centers with your strength, you don’t just bull rush, you also use moves to get to the quarterback. What are some of your favorite moves when applying pressure?

“My favorite is the club-rip and the swim move. I use power when I need to, but playing both ways I try to conserve energy when I can.”

Your strength stands out. What are some of your weight room maxes?

“On bench my max is 370 and on deadlift it is 650.”

Wow. How has your game improved this season?

“I feel like I have more energy. I am relentless and I am not taking plays off. I don’t take plays off, I go get it.”

Since you are going both ways, we have to talk about your action on offense at guard. How is that coming along for you this season?

“I try to implement defense on offense. I do it to help the team. I am doing something I love but putting it into the offense.”

What are some of the strengths to your game we have not talked about already on defense?

“A strength of mine that we have not talked about, I can control the line of scrimmage. Anything up the middle is mine. With our defense, anything going to the outside is taken care of. I don’t have to worry about going to the outside.”

When you have talked to college coaches, what are they telling you they like about your talents?

“They like how strong I am, my get off, that I have good technique, good line integrity, and that I don’t jump gaps.”

How many offers are you holding?

“I have eight offers.”

Williams’ Offer Sheet: Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Penn State, Texas A&M, Virginia Tech, and West Virginia

Which schools are showing interest?

“Texas A&M, Penn State, Maryland, West Virginia, and Virginia Tech are all showing interest.”

Have you visited any schools over the offseason to now?

“Yes. I visited Alabama after one of their camps.”

How did the Alabama visit go?

“It was nice. At the camp, we did one-on-ones. I like the atmosphere there. Alabama has a big campus.”

Are there any planned visits ahead?

“Next year I plan on going to a Clemson camp and plan on visiting Penn State and Texas A&M in the spring.”

Nice. Back to football. The team took down Calvert Hall on Friday. Overall, how did you guys look?

“We looked great. We were explosive. The defensive line looked great; they could not get anything off of us. We shut them down.”

It is early, but what kind of game are you expecting from Catholic come Friday?

“We plan on physically dominating them. I don’t think they can match-up with us.”

Kwan, I appreciate your time today and wish you and the Eagles success the rest of the way.

“Thank you.”

*Click link for related RNG interview with Dani Dennis-Sutton

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Photo credit: Thomas Palmatary; No. 55 Kwan Williams and with Dani Dennis-Sutton