MOBILE, Ala. – University of South Alabama football defensive lineman Rocel McWilliams recently sat down with USAJaguars.com to discuss what he wants to do with his degree, his leadership role on the team and what he likes most about playing defensive end, among other things.
McWilliams, a senior from Pensacola, Fla., has been a member of the Jaguar program since the 2016 season after transferring from Missouri. This season, McWilliams has played in all seven games this fall where he has recorded 24 tackles – 16 solo and eight assisted. He is also second on the club in tackles for loss (4) and sacks (2).
You graduated with a degree in interdisciplinary studies in May, and you're now working on a second degree in sociology. What do you want to do with your degrees once your playing days are over?
"When I was at Missouri, I had the opportunity to be part of a Big Brother mentoring program. After having that experience, I knew I wanted to be part of something like that once I got my sociology degree. I wanted to go back and help others by telling them my background and what I didn't know when I was their age. I just want to help them prepare for life."
When you were involved with that program, was there a specific thing or person that helped you decide that's what you wanted to do?
"I worked with a man named Mr. Berry. He had received a phone call from a student who had run away from home. The kid was also a good football player. The kid was going through a lot of similar situations that I had gone through, plus we had the football element. He had gone through foster care system. He didn't have any parents and was just going from foster home to foster home. His story just made me want to work with those types of kids. We shared some of the same experiences and it touched me."
Last season you were having a real good fall camp before suffering your injury. What did you take away from having to go through that situation?
"Everything happens for a reason; it may not show up right now, but it probably will later in life. When I was having to go through the rehab process, I was questioning whether or not I really wanted to play football anymore. My defensive line group though stayed on me and were the reason I stayed with it. Guys like Tyree Turner and Jeffery Whatley stayed in my ear about how much the group needed me to come back when I was down. It was a real learning process for me as well."
What were your goals coming into the season and where do you feel you're at in achieving those?
"One of my goals was to have more than the two sacks that I had back during the 2017 season. I already have two, so one more will eclipse that goal. I also wanted to be a leader, play my role and just be there for my teammates."
How do you want to close out your career at South?
"I just want to finish strong. I want to give it all I've got and help the program get to a place that puts them in a good position for next season. I just want to be a leader. We're in a slump right now, but we're going to get over it."
What do you feel is the strength of the defensive unit?
"As it is with any good defense, it starts up front. We have the most experience with the group of seniors that we have. I definitely feel we are the strength of the defense."
What factored into your decision to transfer from Missouri and come to South Alabama?
"My mother was diagnosed with lupus. It was a really big decision for me to come home with her sick rather than playing far away. There were also some other factors, but that was the main one."
You are from Pensacola. What is it like playing close to your family and how often are they able to attend games?
"It's a blessing. They're only about 45 minutes away and they can come to all of the home games. They are also able to travel to some of the away games because they aren't too far either. It's just a blessing for them to be able and come see me play during my senior year."
What do you like to do in your spare time?
"I like to play Madden. I have a five month old puppy named Royal and he keeps me busy. I love fishing. I also hang out with the team a lot. We are always together. That's pretty much it."
What are some challenges the defense faces down the stretch and what will be key for the unit to be successful?
"We just need to stay humble, stay consistent and just stay together as a team. Even though we are going through a rough stretch right now, you still have to stay together as a team during that time."
You mentioned earlier about being a leader on this team. What type of leadership role have you assumed on the defense and the team?
"I'm really not a vocal leader; I lead more by example. I'm not the type of person that will get on you, but I will come and talk to you if I see something and I feel it's needed. We have a very young team and I'm just trying to keep that group together. I tell them that there are going to be tough times and we are going to go through adversity, but we just need to stay together as a team."
How long have you played on the defensive line and what other positions did you play growing up?
"I've always been a stand-up defensive end. I played fullback in Pop Warner. My junior year of high school I also played some wide receiver. I also played a little running back growing up."
Since a majority of your career has been at the defensive end position, what do you like most about playing the position?
"It's really just about being able to be physical. You are banging against someone every play. You have to set the line of scrimmage. I also like getting to the quarterback and coming off the ball hard. If you are going through something or have something on your mind, football is going to help you get some release."
Who has had the biggest influence on your life?
"My father. Coming from the situation I came from growing up, my daddy was pretty much all I had. I had a step-mom, but me and my dad a very close. I have a mother, but me and my dad are just very close."
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