By Heath Bradley.

DeShawn Williams knows his time is now to make an impact on the Clemson defensive line. He began preparing for this opportunity from the minute the 2012 season ended. The 2011 season saw Williams play in 138 snaps and appear in all 14 games for the Tigers. Williams was very surprised when given the opportunity to play in 2011, but understands it helped him become a much better player in the long run. “Playing last season, it helped a lot. To be honest with you I thought I was redshirting. For them to say you are playing, it meant a lot. I think it helped a lot; you cannot imitate game reps. The game goes a lot faster. It helped me a lot last year playing those 100 or so snaps. I got the feel of the game. It is coming quicker to me now.”

Williams understood following the season that he would be expected to be a starter entering 2012 and took that as his opportunity to work on being the best player he could become. While Williams had an effective season playing as a true freshman, the coaches knew that for him to improve, his offseason would require a lot of hard work. “In the spring the coaches gave all of the defensive linemen a list of what we needed to work on. Coach brooks told me I needed to work on my footwork, hands, leverage and containing gaps. That is what I worked on all winter, spring and summer and it is really paying off.”

A relationship with former Clemson great Michael Dean Perry has also helped William to mature on and off the field. “I talk to Michael Dean Perry a lot. He gave me feedback of what I needed to do like eating right. I am more fit now, I can last longer on the field.” This relationship has helped Williams to better understand that what he does off the field can affect his game as much as his on the field work. Williams understands that having such a great former player as a mentor is a very special situation, one that he is very happy to have. “I talk to him a lot, we have a great relationship.”

Almost a week into fall camp, Williams has seen the defense make strides since Brent Venables arrived this spring. While the defense has made strides, Williams notes that this defense cannot become satisfied, they must keep working daily to become better players for the defense to have a successful season. “Fall camp is good, but it can be better. I am never satisfied. As a group we are never satisfied. It is going very good. We have come a long way.”

Williams knows that the defense will have a large target on their back after their final performance of the 2011 season. For this reason, Williams have very simple goals for the defense as a whole, as well as himself. “To me our goal as a defense is we are ready to prove the naysayers wrong. We want to show them can stop the run and rush the passer. I want to have a good year and be positive for my teammates.”