Conversation with Andre Williams

IW: Can you talk about how you went about making your decision for Wisconsin?

Williams: When I went up there, I went up there with an open mind. I was pretty sure I was going to commit, but I had to make sure everything was okay. The coaches made me feel like I was at home, and all of the players. That’s what decided it for me. I felt like I didn’t leave home. That was definitely the deciding factor for me.

IW: Did you ever imagine entering the process that Wisconsin would be where you ended up?

Williams: No, because you know, a lot of schools looked over me. I was shorter, and I actually lucked out. One of my friends who is going to Pitt now (Steve Buches), they saw me on one of his films. They saw what type of a player I was, and that’s how everything opened up for me.

IW: How much of a relief was it for you, when a major program finally recognized your ability? Was it frustrating for you when none of the big Div. I schools were offering you?

Williams: I was very frustrated, because I knew the caliber of player I was, and no one was even taking the time to even look at the tapes. They sat down and looked at the tapes and saw what I can do.

IW: What are some of the things you do on the field that separate you from a lot of other defensive linemen?

Williams: I come off the ball very fast. I use my hands, I play like a linebacker on the defensive line. I play sideline to sideline, and I’m pretty fast for a nosetackle.

IW: Wisconsin is a school that uses a true noseguard, which is where you will likely fit in. What have the coaches told you about your prospects at that position?

Williams: They told me they want to evaluate me in camp, see how I do in camp and then go from there. They said they had a good freshman this year, they are graduating Wendell Bryant. I think I have a chance to come in and make some players work for their spots.

IW: How is your relationship with your recruiting contact, Jim Hueber?

Williams: I love Coach Hueber. He made everything so I could understand it, and obviously he’s a great guy. He’s very nice. He made this whole thing go smoothly.

IW: You must have had a good time with Anttaj Hawthorne as your official host on your visit?

Williams: Yeah, that was great. He really showed me the ins and outs. He’s also a great guy, and like I said, they decided it for me. Just the way they treated me when I came out there, and I knew it wasn’t a show, just the way everyone acted. I felt like I was at home the whole time.

IW: Were you friends and family a little surprised when you committed on your official visit?

Williams: Actually my uncle was pretty sure I was going to commit. We talk a lot. He’s been a crucial factor in my football career since I was eight years old. He’s my personal trainer, he does everything with me and we talked the whole time. He knew and I knew. We just wanted to go down there and make sure everything was set there, on campus and everything.

IW: What do you want to study at Wisconsin?

Williams: Hopefully education. I want to be a teacher.

IW: Is there anybody at the college or pro level you would compare yourself to, or really admire as a player?

Williams: I wouldn’t want to compare myself, but I admire Warren Sapp. He’s definitely my idol. I try to form my game to what he does and he’s a great player. That’s what I love. I love him.

IW: I saw you were named to a few All-Pittsburgh type lists your senior year. How did your final season go?

Williams: Yeah, I was named to the Fabulous 22 Team, the Perfect 25, I was first team All-Conference. My senior year went great. I had 11 sacks, 89 tackles, and about 15 of them were for a loss. I had a really good year and I was getting triple-teamed almost every play. I was also opening things up for my teammates.

IW: Do you play any other sports?

Williams: I do track. I throw shot and javelin. And I played basketball a little bit my freshman year. But I stopped when I hurt my ankle. I didn’t want to mess myself up for football.

IW: What’s your current height/weight and fastest 40 time?

Williams: I’m 6-1, 285 right now, and I ran a 4.82 on August 13 at camp.

I come off the ball very fast. I use my hands, I play like a linebacker on the defensive line. I play sideline to sideline, and I’m pretty fast for a nosetackle.

IW: Wisconsin is a school that uses a true noseguard, which is where you will likely fit in. What have the coaches told you about your prospects at that position?

Williams: They told me they want to evaluate me in camp, see how I do in camp and then go from there. They said they had a good freshman this year, they are graduating Wendell Bryant. I think I have a chance to come in and make some players work for their spots.