Williams ready to boost State’s pass rush and more
- Story byNortheast Mississippi Daily Journal, Tupelo
- Williams ready to boost State’s pass rush and more
STARKVILLE – Mississippi State's defense is trying to sharpen the tip of its sword.
Last season, the Bulldogs had just 21 sacks, tied for the second-worst mark in the SEC with South Carolina and behind only Georgia (20). MSU was dead last with 10 the season before.
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State's efforts to improve the pass rush this past offseason have included external reinforcements. One of them is an edge rusher via Tallahassee.
Amaree Williams had 1.5 sacks and 10 total tackles-for-loss for Florida State last season. The junior from North Palm Beach, Florida then followed Zach Arnett from FSU to Starkville when he reclaimed his job as defensive coordinator.
"He's a go-get-after-it guy. He's not one that's sitting here wanting to see all the choppiness and all the flashing or whatever," Williams said of Arnett. "He's an 'attack' guy, so having somebody like him at Florida State and he was a guy that I was obviously around a lot, being a defensive analyst."
In his time playing college football, Williams has come to realize that a good pass rush isn't about "the flashy stuff."
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"That's the stuff that's going to be on SportsCenter and all that. But it all starts with just getting off the ball," he said. "So just playing fast, physical, and then being able to tackle, from my instance, where they're at, and just rolling from there."
Williams understands the pressure that will be on him to deliver as part of MSU's pass defense, and he welcomes it with open arms. However, he sees himself as being able to do more than just get after the quarterback.
"I don't think coach Arnett brought me here to just be a 'pass rusher,'" he said. "I feel like I will be able to help on every level, whether it's being coverage, run, pass, whatever it is, I want to be a guy that could help change and impact the game at all three levels."
Food and family
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On Tuesday, L.J. Prudhomme mentioned how the offensive linemen "like to eat." On Thursday, D.J. Chester elaborated.
Chester mentioned Georgia Blue, The Camphouse and Two Brothers as his three favorite places to eat with his teammates.
"Most of the time, (the bill) falls on my tab since I am the older guy," Chester said. "So I always make sure to leave a good tip."
Chester likes talking about "anything and everything" when they go out to eat, from practice to family.
"Those are my brothers," Chester said. "I know I can go to them with anything, and they know they can come to me with anything."
