Evan Williams talks brotherly influence, leadership, and fitting in as a Duck
Over the past few seasons in Eugene, safety Bennett Williams rose prominently as one of the notable fan favorites for the Oregon Ducks. His hard-hitting style was appreciated, and the charismatic comfortability shown in front of a camera during media availabilities was always endearing.
Duck fans might have struck gold twice. A season after Williams graduated and left Eugene, another Williams brother has come to Oregon to take his place. Evan Williams, a senior safety, transferred to the Ducks from Fresno State earlier this offseason, and he’s working to get himself acclimated to the area and entrenched in the program.
We got a chance to talk to Williams for the first time on Saturday afternoon following the Ducks’ fifth spring practice of the year. I can happily report that, like his brother, Evan is similarly charismatic and personable.
He discussed what his decision process was like coming to Oregon, how Bennett helped him along the way, and what it’s been like taking over as a veteran leader on the team, despite being one of the new guys.
Here are some of the best quotes from his interview:
Bennett's Impact
Question: How impactful was Bennett on your decision to ultimately choose Oregon once you were in the transfer portal?
Williams: “I mean, huge impact. You know, you see somebody like him, somebody that I mean, that’s been a role model for you your whole life and you just see how, how highly he speaks of the program, the culture that’s being created, and just yeah, what they’re creating every day and so you know, just hearing that feedback. We’re always texting, always communicating. So just hearing that feedback and, and knowing that this was a place that, you know, you’d have people that surrounded you that want to see you succeed. You have a bunch of resources for you to do just that. Yeah, just having that assurance from him definitely helped in this decision.”
College vs. NFL Decision
Question: What was the process of choosing Oregon like? Because not only choosing a new school, you also had the decision to make about going to the NFL or not. What was that process like?
Williams: “Yeah, I feel like I just wanted my last year to eat. I’m kind of a perfectionist, so I kind of wanted to just, you know, ride off into the sunset. And I mean, that’s what anybody would want and, you know, the injury early in the season kind of it was a setback for me, and you know, I just felt like I hadn’t shown my best the for the end of that season. I hadn’t put my best on film. And I felt like if I was given another opportunity, you know, especially at a place like this, you know, with the resources that it’s gonna give you everything you can to succeed. I feel like I had a chance to step up, level up a draft stock, and just learn from, you know, the great coaches here, the great teammates that I’ve met, and just establish these connections. So yeah, it wasn’t an easy decision by any means, but I mean, I’m glad I made it. You know, I’m glad I’m here and I’m extremely thankful just for my entire support staff that, you know, helped me get here and, you know, I’m having a good time.”
Describe Your Playing Style
Question: You’ve put a lot of tape on film, but how would you describe to fans the playing style that you bring to the table? Because you play differently than your brother in that sense.
Williams: “I mean, I honestly don’t like to put too many labels on it. Ff I had to say one word, I would probably just be a hybrid. You know, somebody that you throw out there, can fit in any puzzle piece that you need and just is out there to make plays. I pride myself too on being able to come up in the run and make some crucial tackles if necessary. And also if I’m in the post, you know, man-to-man, wherever you need me. I feel like I’m pretty versatile in those aspects. So yeah, I think just the Duck family is getting somebody that’s just a hard worker and we’re willing to willing to do whatever it takes.”
Describe Your Personality
Question: On a similar note, Oregon fans know Bennett well. How would you say you are similar to your brother off of the field, and how are you guys similar?
Williams: “Man, that’s a great question. He’s probably a little more outgoing and energetic like he gets energy from people. He needs to go out and like he seeks that. I’m a little more introverted, but, you know, I’m just… I mean, I love you know, talking to him just as much as the next guy. But yeah, that’s probably the main difference. We definitely share the love of football. I mean, we’ve both been around it since we were a kid and he helped me definitely in that aspect. You know, you see him doing his thing pretty early on. And, you know, I wanted to follow right in his footsteps. So I could thank him for getting me started. But yeah, I’d say he’s probably a little more extroverted, and I love him for it. And, I mean, you guys love him for it too. He was a great personality here. And you know, he left a great legacy here. So being able to follow in his legacy has been a great thing.”
Harder Hitter
Question: Who is the harder hitter between you two?
Williams: “Me, definitely me. Don’t tell him that, but I’ve got to go with me.”
Question: Did you guys ever hit each other?
Williams: “No, no. We played in varsity, I got brought up as a sophomore. I didn’t play that much. And when we played each other Oregon vs. Fresno State I never got to go against them besides on like… he was on punt and I was on punt return. We had a couple of plays. I was just talking smack, you know? I’m just talking a little smack going back and forth. I might have given a little show but nothing too crazy.”
Veteran Leader vs. New Guy on Campus
Question: You’re one of the veterans on this team, but you are also one of the new guys on the team. How do you balance that aspect and still try to take over a leadership role despite being new to the program?
Williams: “Yeah, I’m definitely understanding that you know, it’s gonna be a learning curve. For me, I’m not going to understand everything right off the jump. And so I’m giving myself that area to make those mistakes Yeah, just to learn and understand that it’s gonna be a process. But I mean, also something that Coach Lanning has stressed since the start, he’s been saying he wants me to speak up. When it’s time, I have some experience in college football, I understand kind of just how the process works. And so, yeah, he feels like I should be able to just give some words of wisdom to people that haven’t been through it or are going through it for the first time. I’m stepping into that role. You know, it’s a little difficult too because you don’t know everything. You want to have a great sense, like a great grasp of everything you’re talking about, but I feel like I can help just from, you know, like a student-athlete perspective. Somebody that has been doing this for four years understands just how things go and kind of just tried to provide a little more mentorship for some younger guys.”
Locker Room Difference in 2023
Question: How different is a locker room in this transfer portal era of college football? Did you feel like you were walking into a group that was already doing something, or because of transfers do you think it feels more like a new start for a lot of people?
Williams: “Yeah, it’s a little different in that aspect. You know, you’ve got people coming in from a bunch of different places, different spots in the country. But I feel like that is just a sense of culture. My brother told me about it, but just that sense of culture that Coach Lanning is consistently trying to create. Honestly, I stepped in and I was nervous for like, the first week and then it just felt like a family. Like honestly, I mean, they knew my brother, most of them, my teammates know my brother, so they already had a pretty positive outlook. And so yeah, just being able to bond with the guys and just how accepting they are. They accepted me with open arms. And yeah, I’m proud to call these guys a family.”
Nerves
Question: You said you were nervous for the first week, about what?
Williams: “I don’t know. I mean, that new environment. Everything’s just unfamiliar. I wouldn’t say nervous, but you’re just stepping into a whole new place, and you got to get accustomed really fast. And, you know, because Coach Lanning has stressed you to be a leader and you’re like, how do I do that? So I mean, it’s a whole process, a whole bunch of things, but, you know, I’ve been able to, and I feel recently as I’m getting more confident and able to step into that leadership role a little better.”
On-Field Chemistry
Question: How long does it take for you to build that on-field chemistry with the other safeties in the room and feel like you’re on the same page with them?
Williams: “I mean, I think I always feel like I have room to grow just in that, I mean, I’ve only been here for like three months. And so I’m still picking up the playbook just like anybody else. And so (Bryan Addison) has probably a better grasp, so when he needs to help me, he will help me and sometimes he doesn’t know a call and I’m able to fit and so and I think what helps us most is honestly just our connection. We’ve stressed that I mean, since years ago, I’m sure. But yeah, just that sense of connection in the locker room and knowing that guy’s got your back, even if he doesn’t know what he’s doing. Like in that kind of trust, that mutual connection. It just shows on the field it makes it a lot easier to know somebody and trust that somebody’s going to do their job so that I can execute what I’m doing to you know, the full effect.”
