Saturday Special: NDSU DB, Marcus Williams

Marcus Williams is easily the most sensational defensive backs in the Football Championship Subdivision. Williams came out of Hopkins High School in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He was a three-year starter at both wide receiver and defensive back. His contributions on the football field garnered him time-time all-Metro and all-CLC team honors; he also received an All-State selection as a senior. Needless to say, Marcus Williams has been producing big numbers and making a huge impact on the football field for many, many years.

Marcus Williams turns the corner against the Gophers (Photo: Mark Vancleave)

After a redshirt season in 2009, Williams started 12 of 14 games in 2010. In those 12 games he complied 47 tackles, 4 INTs (one returned for TD), and 12 pass break-ups. This kind of production would be expected out of an upperclassmen leader, not a redshirt freshman. His one pick-six occurred came in the biggest game of North Dakota State's 2010 playoff run against eventual FCS Champions, Eastern Washington. Without a doubt, his production alloted him an Honorable mention on the All-MVFC team and a spot on the MVFC All-Newcomer team, as well as instant fame among Bison nation.

Last year, Williams started all 15 games as a sophomore and put up enormous numbers. How does 53 tackles, 7 INTs returned for 274 yards (4 for TDs), and 15 pass break-ups sounds? Unbelievable numbers like that change the game tremendously. The momentum shifts provided by Williams' performance created an aura around the Bison football team of unmatchable confidence and unprecedented production. Like a well-oiled machine, the Bison defense fed off of Williams big-play mentality and cruised its way to an FCS Championship.

NDSU  students worship him with a Big Head

Marcus Williams will be a Junior this year and will certainly provide the same boost in momentum for the next couple of years. If Williams matched or even surpasses his production from the previous two years, a selection in the NFL Draft can be seriously discussed. Some critics will downplay his NFL potential citing his size as a primary issue. However, former Pro-Bowler Darrelle Revis (5'11, 198 lbs) of the New York Jets is almost identical in size to Williams (5'11, 194 lbs). I would not be surprised in two years if Marcus Williams gets draft and pushes for a successful NFL career.

With the 2012 season fast approaching, we should all be ready to watch Williams make spectacular plays. Even if its against "our" teams, lets try to remember in the moment that watching good football is a privilege. Some day, when Williams is playing on Sundays, we can even say, "Hey, I watched that guy in college; he was spectacular."