ANN ARBOR — Please, please, please allow Tré Williams to grab the football with some grass ahead of him.
A 320-pound defensive lineman has grand ideas for a possible touchdown celebration. Initially, he’ll throw the ball into the crowd; afterward, he’ll leap in among some Michigan supporters. “Perhaps grab a chicken tender while returning to the sideline,” he mentioned.
If he’s within the 40-yard line, he’s in good shape. However, he has already informed his teammates that he’ll require some assistance for a longer interception or fumble return. Either way, “I’m definitely going to need the oxygen.”
Williams is in his sixth and final year of college football and his first with Michigan following a move from Clemson. He is a crucial part of Michigan’s strong and formidable defensive line, one of the largest players on the team with a personality that matches his size.
Williams felt at home at Clemson; maybe a little too much. “I had been part of that defense for so long, it was straightforward,” he mentioned recently. He played in 44 games with four starts over five seasons, filling gaps and recording 35 tackles. He contributed to the Tigers winning the ACC three times and making it to the playoff twice, including last season.
Looking for a shift — but not an extreme one — Michigan made sense. Two Michigan defensive tackles were selected within the first 13 picks in April’s NFL draft, continuing a long history of excellence at that position. Clemson had set a high bar for its football players; Williams wanted that same level of quality at his next school.
He had another link to Michigan. Quinten Johnson, a defensive back who played a key role on the 2023 national championship team, is like a brother to Williams. The two shared a living space during high school.
Williams was raised in Connecticut before relocating to live with Johnson’s family in Washington, D.C. during his second year of school to attend St. John’s College High School. Johnson later expressed strong admiration for Michigan, and Williams remembered this when he entered the transfer portal.
It proved successful for the Wolverines, who brought in a seasoned, reliable player to an already strong position group. Williams, Alabama transfer Damon Payne, and returners Rayshaun Benny, Trey Pierce, and Enow Etta are the key players on the defensive line.
Tré has done a great job,” said Michigan linebackers coach Brian Jean-Mary. “Any top linebacker will always acknowledge the defensive line for any achievements they have. … Because they create opportunities for everything we accomplish.
Michigan’s starting offensive lineman, Evan Link, has faced off against Williams during practice. “He’s a really strong guy; great hands. You need to make sure when you approach him, you have a solid base and are prepared for contact, because he’s going to be physical.”
Williams mentioned that he discovered his role at Michigan during the recruitment process. He is comfortable with sharing playing time to maintain his energy. In Michigan’s 2-1 beginning, Williams has recorded four tackles, two of which resulted in losses. He will play next on Saturday when No. 21 Michigan faces Nebraska (3:40 p.m. ET, CBS).
Williams wasn’t permitted to play football until he turned 12. It wasn’t due to his parents’ disapproval or a lack of interest from Williams. Instead, he was too large. The local leagues had weight restrictions that Williams exceeded. To satisfy his desire for physical interaction, he took up lacrosse. “I was definitely an unusual size for a lacrosse player,” Williams mentioned.
He concentrated on football at St. John’s because the football coach didn’t want him to risk injury by participating in another sport. He has experienced numerous injuries while playing football: shoulder problems, minor knee surgery. “Head, shoulders, knees and toes,” Williams said. “I definitely have a greater appreciation for the game because of it. I wouldn’t change anything because on the other side of those injuries I became a better person outside of football.”
The knowledge it imparted regarding perseverance, not giving up, and maintaining mental strength—these are lessons I will carry throughout the rest of my life.
Williams has a variety of hobbies outside of sports. While at Clemson, he completed an internship with a real estate company based in Beverly Hills and is involved in some related ventures with his family. He also has a passion for fashion.
When I was younger, I didn’t have the means to buy better things,” he said. “But whatever I owned, I made sure it looked great. Eventually, this approach led to something truly remarkable.
He acknowledges that he went overboard at first, attempting styles that didn’t match his personality or his big build. “I was trying to be a fashionista,” he said with a laugh. “I was like, ‘Bro, I’m a football player.'”
He needed to update his wardrobe when he arrived in Ann Arbor in January. He lacked a jacket, boots, or gloves, things he hadn’t needed since departing for college.
On the field, his jersey number is an unusual choice for a large defensive lineman: 0. He wore 8 at Clemson, but that number was already taken by Michigan’s edge rusher Derrick Moore, along with other highly sought-after single-digit numbers. Because of this, Williams ended up with 0. This creates a funny jersey pairing: wide receiver Semaj Morgan, who weighs just 174 pounds and is the lightest Wolverine on the team, also wears 0. Williams mentioned that a team photographer took a picture of them together before the season, but he hasn’t seen the photo yet.
Since he’s an interior lineman, it usually takes an exceptional play for the average fan to take notice of Williams. He recovered three fumbles while at Clemson, including one against Virginia that still bothers him. A teammate blocked a player into Williams’ legs, causing him to trip before he could get moving.
He would enjoy another opportunity. It would be interesting to witness.
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