Elite Cal Golden Bears cornerback Nohl Williams has been added to the Bednarik Award Watch Record. Named after Corridor of Famer Chuck Bednarik, the award is offered yearly to the nation’s prime collegiate defensive participant.
After enjoying each large receiver and defensive again on the prep level, Williams started his collegiate profession with the UNLV Rebels. With Las Vegas, he developed a reference to Tre Watson, the Rebels’ defensive backs coach. When Watson left UNLV for Berkeley, Calif., in 2021 to take the defensive secondary teaching place with the Golden Bears, Williams remained at UNLV for 2 seasons earlier than reuniting with Watson at Cal in 2023.
The 6-foot-1 standout defender started all 13 games for the Golden Bears final season. In his senior marketing campaign, Williams is performing on the highest stage. He leads the nation in interceptions with six within the Soccer Bowl Subdivision (FBS).
Following Cal’s victory over Auburn in Week 2, Williams was named ACC Defensive Back of the Week.
Williams additionally excels as a return specialist. In Cal’s season opener, he returned a kickoff 80 yards for a landing.
Within the Golden Bears’ heartbreaking loss to the Miami Hurricanes on Oct. 5, Williams had a spectacular pick-six on the opening play of the second half.
Primarily based on his persistently wonderful efficiency, ESPN included Williams on its midseason list of the 25 finest gamers in faculty soccer.
ESPN employees author Paolo Uggetti sensibly advises quarterbacks to keep away from throwing in Williams’ path:
“If you’re a quarterback and also you see Williams out within the distance protecting one among your receivers, this is a phrase of recommendation: Do not throw it there. There is perhaps extra proficient corners in faculty soccer, however by means of six video games, nobody has made offenses pay the way in which Williams has. The senior leads the nation in interceptions with six — sure, that’s one per recreation — which is 2 greater than some other defensive again within the nation…”
Of their homecoming recreation on Saturday, Williams and the Golden Bears host North Carolina State at California Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is at 3:30 p.m. EST.