Virginia Tech Football: Jordan Williams Named One of the Top Transfers
The sport of College Football has been undergoing a seismic shift of power. In a system where it was frowned upon for players to transfer, it is not only acceptable but looked upon for players to find new schools. 247Sports released their top 100 player rankings of the top transfers for the 2021 College Football season. Among one the players ranked in the top 100 are former Clemson Tigers defensive tackle and current Virginia Tech Hokie Jordan Williams.
According to 247Sports, Williams was ranked as the 51st best transfer players in the upcoming 2021 College Football season. He transferred to Virginia Tech on January 11th after spending the past four seasons at the Clemson University. Williams was a four-star recruit ranked as the 12th best weakside defensive end and fifth-best prospect from the state of Virginia in the 2017 Recruiting Class by 247Sports.
In the past three seasons at Clemson, Williams accumulated 55 total tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, four sacks, two pass breakups, and one forced fumble in the 38 games and 673 snaps played. The Tigers have played several defensive linemen along the edge and in the interior that have gone on to the NFL. It is hard to find a starting role with the Tigers’ defensive line with so much depth and other elite talented players.
Williams chose to transfer to Virginia Tech where he will likely contribute immediately even though he had three starts last season. There is likely a situation where he will start for the Hokies when they start their 2021 College Football Season. The Hokies are fully secured in their edge rushers with Amare Barno and Emmanuel Belmar. This will leave the other defensive tackle positions.
Williams will continue to compete for the three-technique defensive tackle against Norell Pollard, who started all 11 games last season. There will also be some competition for the one-technique defensive tackle between Mario Kendricks, who has developed efficiently, and Dashawn Crawford. At 6-1, 310 pounds, the one-technique defensive tackle is the area where Williams will likely be the starter.
Williams has a quick explosive get-off at the snap of the football. He also possesses great strength to bullrush and dominates the opposing offensive lineman and he also possesses great agility for a bigger player. Finally, he can spot the weakness of the blocking schemes of his blocker to either move around them or overpower them. He will look to use this season to boost his 2022 NFL Draft stock.
This season, the Hokies will rely on the elite experience that Williams gained at Clemson to improve their defense. The Hokies’ defense was ranked 86th in the nation (ninth in the ACC) in rushing yards allowed per game (181.5). Defensive coordinator Justin Hamilton will also look to have Williams and the rest of the defensive line put significant pressure on the opposing offense’s passing game. The Hokies ranked 99th in the nation in passing yards allowed per game (243.9). Williams could be the biggest difference for the Hokies this past season to this season.