MOBILE, Ala. – University of South Alabama football wide receiver Tyrone Williams recently sat down with USAJaguars.com to discuss where he feels he's improved during the offseason, how junior college helped prepare him to play Division I football and what he plans on doing during the off week, among other things.
Williams, a senior from Diamondhead, Miss., has been a member of the South Alabama roster since signing with the Jags out of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College prior to the 2015 season. This season, Williams ranks fourth of the team in both receptions (14) and yards (127) with a touchdown. His best outing came in USA's 41-40 overtime win over Nicholls State where he had 6 catches for 64 yards, including a nine-yard touchdown with 16 seconds remaining in regulation against the Colonels to tie the game up at 34-34.
What do you like about playing in offensive coordinator Bryant Vincent's scheme?
"It's a great scheme to play in. The coaches come up with great game plans and they give the receivers great routes to get open. I really enjoy playing in it."
Where do you feel that you've improved most in from the offseason conditioning program and how has that helped you?
"The offseason conditioning program has helped me out a lot. Because of it, I feel good out there on the field and I'm able to last the whole game when we run no-huddle. I'm in great shape."
Having to sit out last season, what did you do to help prepare you for this season?
"I worked out a lot back at home and just kept working because I knew I was going to eventually get back out on the field, so I had to stay in shape. I put in a lot of hard work in my workouts and I ran a bunch of routes to stay ready."
What factored into your decision to come to South Alabama?
"I had been to campus before even before coming on my official visit. I loved it over here and a former teammate of mine from Mississippi Gulf Coast – Nigel Green – was here and I would come here to visit him. He would always show me around and when I got the offer to come play here, I figured why not come here."
What are you wanting to do after your football career is over?
"I hope to be a coach one day and help out other wide receivers. I want to start at the high school level and just work my way up as I get better and better."
What was the biggest lesson that you took away from playing such a strong junior college program like Mississippi Gulf Coast?
"To finish. They always preach about finishing. They taught us to always finish strong and to finish what you started."
How did junior college help prepare you for Division I football?
"Mississippi Gulf Coast has a really great program and they really work you hard. They really helped prepare me for this next step in my life because of how they did things there."
How do you feel like you have improved since junior college?
"I feel like I've gotten better in my route running and catching the ball. I've also improved on my blocking."
Who has had the biggest influence on your life?
"I would say my brother. I started playing football because of him. He has always stayed on me about doing what I'm supposed to do on the field and giving 100 percent. He's the biggest influence on me."
What are you planning on doing during the off week?
"I plan on watching film. We have an app that we can use to watch film when we are away, so I plan on watching film on Arkansas State to get ready for the game."
For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at www.twitter.com/USAJaguarSports. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).
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