Bim Bam, Big Sam: Sam Williams, Sr. Wreaking Havoc on Opponents
OXFORD, Miss. — Today, Ole Miss hosts SEC West opponent LSU in a key conference matchup. Coming off back-to-back victories over Arkansas and Tennessee, the Rebels look to stay on track and get their third conference win in a row.
Earlier this week, media met with defensive end Sam Williams, Sr. and visited with him about his season thus far and the upcoming game against the Bayou Bengals.
Bim Bam, Big Sam
This season Sam Williams, Sr. has notched 25 total tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 7 sacks, and two forced fumbles — one of which he returned for a touchdown.
His 7 sacks are tied for the SEC lead, but that’s not where Williams’ thoughts are.
“If I keep helping my team win, I am pleased. I’m just doing my job, that doesn’t matter right now (SEC sacks lead), we’re trying to win games.”
Sam Williams, Sr.
Williams has always shown the ability to be an elite pass-rusher in the SEC and to have a future in the NFL, but he is finally putting it all together in his last season as a Rebel.
He discussed to what he attributes this year’s success.
“I really don’t know,” he began. “I guess I player harder. They (coaches) mix up different schemes, different plays, one-on-ones, coaching different, teaching different, watching film different. It’s just different this year. We have a whole other leadership, as a coach. He (D-line coach Randall Joyner) is teaching us new things and new ways to watch film, new techniques, so I just take his coaching.”
Sam Williams on his success in 2021
New Leadership
Defensive line coach Randall Joyner is in his first season at Ole Miss. He came to Oxford in February after being the defensive-line coach at SMU.
In 2019 at SMU, Joyner coached a defense that led the FBS in sacks per game and was top three in tackles for loss.
Joyner has played a pivotal part in Sam Williams Sr.’s success this season.
“He calls me his left hip, because I’m always under him. I’m always trying to say, ‘Hey coach, let’s watch film. What can I do?’ That’s really the difference this year, my coach, he took me under his wing and I’m learning every day.”
Sam Williams, Sr. on Randall Joyner
Threat Detection
With the success Williams Sr. is having this year comes more attention from opposing teams, and he now finds himself being double-teamed more often.
“The double teams, this week we worked on it because I think I’m going to get double teamed this week (against LSU). We are rushing three down, so it’s five against three, so yeah they are going to double team me sometimes, put the back on me.”
Next Up:
Kickoff for Ole Miss and LSU is set for 2:30 p.m. (CT) at Vaught-Hemingway. The game will be televised on CBS.
Nick Filipich
Nick Filipich was born and raised in Biloxi, MS. He is an Ole Miss alum with a degree in Sports and Recreation Administration. A sports junkie with a great passion for all things Ole Miss, Nick played baseball and football in high school — which is where he discovered his love for sports. He is an avid Braves and Saints fan, and in his free time enjoys spending time with family, friends and his black lab, Dixie.
