Every fan notices when a star player scores a touchdown or makes an interception, but for every game-changing play, there are 11 players on the field that work together to make it happen.
When Charles Nelson returned a kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown in Oregon’s game against Washington State, all eyes were on him. One key component that many fans overlook, however, are Nelson’s 10 teammates on special teams that blocked for him including redshirt junior defensive back, Juwaan Williams.
“Williams blocked a guy for 50 yards last week on the kickoff return that Charles had and he was the third string guy. Nobody brought that up,” Oregon head coach Mark Helfrich said following the Washington State game.
“Juwaan is a guy that’s helped a lot in some of those kinds of unseen areas that most people don’t acknowledge and he’s been a big factor in a lot of those big returns.”
Williams started at safety in a few games last year until he was sidelined with a lower leg injury. This year, he has recovered from that injury but has not frequently seen a starting role.
Despite not starting, Williams has still been able to contribute.
“He’s out there being a teammate,” redshirt sophomore Khalil Oliver said. “He’s going out there and making plays on special teams, and you may not see him out on defense as much, but when Schooler and I come off the sideline, he’s the first person we talk to.”
Freshman standout Brenden Schooler has emerged as a playmaker on defense and earned a starting role at safety. Williams rooms with Schooler on road trips and has been able to mentor Schooler throughout the season.
“Any help I can give to him is help that he appreciates,” Williams said. “And he takes it in stride and just flourishes out there.”
Williams became a prominent leader last year after his injury. His teammates refer to him as “Coach Waan” and value his advice in practice and during games.
“We call Juwaan ‘coach’ because Juwaan knows basically the entire defense,” Oliver said. “Juwaan knows where to be and how to be, and positions to make plays. Since he’s been out, he’s kicked that up a notch, knowing the defense and knowing exactly where to be, so he can coach guys out on the field.
“He’s giving us feedback when we’re on the sideline. But when he does go in, you know he does his job and he does what he’s supposed to.”
Williams says that one of his main roles on the team is to be a leader on and off the field, and he just wants to contribute to his team in whatever way he can.
“If I’m not playing on defense, then I have to make a play somewhere else,” Williams said. “The coaches are wanting us to be more versatile and play different positions. If I’m on kickoff blocking for Charles, it’s great. We all get the score, we all get a ‘W’ and at the end of the day, that’s what we want.
“Just being a guy that can contribute in any way possible. If it’s defense or special teams, I’m your guy. I can do it.”
Follow Kylee O’Connor on Twitter @kyleethemightee