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A year ago at the same time, Quinnen Williams focused solely on the academic field. He is now getting ready to make his NFL debut. He smiled when he was reminded of how much his life had changed in 12 months.
"I really think about the path I've traveled," he said.
The Jets think Williams can go a lot further. That's why they released the imposing Alabama defensive lineman, third overall in the NFL draft last April.
Although Williams is unlikely to start, he will be part of the rotation of new defensive coordinator Gregg Williams on the line of defense, an essential element of what the Jets hope to be an improvement in the passing race.
"He's going to play a lot," said Gregg Williams. "He can do that. He did not slow anything intellectually. He is a smart young man. I do not worry about him at all.
"I really have tremendous confidence right now," said Quinnen Williams.
The 6-foot-3, 303-pound lineman went from an after-thought to Alabama who was entering his first junior year to be arguably the best defensive lineman in the country. He produced eight sacks and 19.5 tackles against losses last season. He received the Outland Trophy for the country's best domestic lineman after serving as a substitute the year before.
"He is very fast. He has that talent for football, "said veteran Steve McLendon. "It's a good thing he played in Alabama because you could see things he had already learned. Good hands, good eyes. So, I'm excited to see him [play]. "
It was one of the great stories of the summer at Florham Park, with Sam Darnold's exceptional play and the presence of Le'Veon Bell. His piece stood out as well as his contagious personality and eagerness to listen and learn.
"What impresses me the most, is his daily dedication to the team," said Leonard Williams. "From the day he arrived, you can see he's trying to improve something new every day. He did not come with a big head, as many primers could do it sometimes. He was very humble and just wanted to learn everything he could.
"I think the desire and motivation will be able to make it big, not just his talent."
Quinnen Williams tries not to make much of Sunday, saying he was approaching as in his fifth game, after four pre-season games. But he knows it will be different and admitted that there was a unique excitement, something that he had never experienced before.
Of course, he has had many firsts in the last 12 months. The first day of the regular season against the Bills at MetLife Stadium will be just the last.
But he always appreciates what has happened to him and will not be happy either.
"It weighs on me every day because I know where I'm from and I know how hard I've had to work hard to get here," Williams said. "It's not because I arrived here that I can stop working hard. I have to work even harder because I'm here. "
The Jets, in fact, rely on it.
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