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AMES — It’s in the genes for Jontez Williams to be a football player, and a very good one, at that.
His father, Andrew Williams, starred at Miami (FL) back in the early 2000s, before becoming a third-round NFL Draft pick by the San Francisco 49ers.
Now, Jontez may be on the threshold of getting his opportunity, as well, considering Iowa State football is searching for someone to play the cornerback spot that soon-to-be-pro T.J. Tampa manned so well during recent seasons.
That position is one of just two on defense where the starters aren’t returning, which says something about the talent pool for a defense that again should be one of the Big 12’s finest.
Besides Tampa, who has second-day NFL Draft projections, linebacker Gerry Vaughn also used up his eligibility last season. Nine starters returning proves the defense can be great during a 2024 season that starts Aug. 31 against North Dakota at Jack Trice Stadium.
“Our whole (defensive) room has played,” defensive coordinator Jon Heacock said this spring. “I went to a team meeting, and I remember saying we’re going to need every guy in here — don’t look around and expect somebody else to do something. We’re going to need all of you.”
More: Iowa State football’s lockdown cornerback T.J. Tampa is an Associated Press All-American
Williams, a redshirt sophomore in the fall, started last season’s final game – the Liberty Bowl against Memphis – after Tampa opted not to play. That could give him the edge to be the Week 1 starter, but then again, no one is taking anything for granted.
“Everybody’s confident in who they are,” cornerbacks coach Hank Poteat said Wednesday. “I don’t think they’re trying to be T.J. They’re all competitors.”
Darien Porter has looked good at the cornerback position opposite Myles Purchase, too. There’s also…
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Author : The Des Moines Register
Publish date : 2024-04-10 19:55:44
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