Army junior corner Jabril Williams has made his mark as a football special teams standout

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.

Army defensive back Jabril Williams (13) and teammates celebrate in the locker room after a 17-14 win against Holy Cross at Michie Stadium on Nov. 11, 2023.

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.

Army defensive back Jabril Williams (13) celebrates after a 57-0 win against Delaware State at Michie Stadium on Sept. 9, 2023.

“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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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/army-junior-corner-jabril-williams-023500102.html

Author : Times Herald-Record

Publish date : 2024-08-20 02:35:00

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