Photo by: Austin Perryman/MSU Athletics
Williams: 'I Took A Chance On Myself'
October 21, 2021 | Football
STARKVILLE – Carson Williams' path to Mississippi State had a couple of pit stops along the way.
Williams started his collegiate career with a redshirt at Arkansas State before deciding to return to his home state to play at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College in hopes of landing a Power 5 scholarship offer.
"I had surgery the year that I was at Arkansas State and did a lot of thinking if that was the right place for me," Williams said. "I went through that spring and had a great spring, but we got sent home because COVID broke out. So, I just bet on myself and rolled the dice to see what happened. I took a chance on myself."
The gamble paid off almost immediately. While Williams was in the transfer portal, he was contacted by MSU offensive line coach Mason Miller. Miller made a promise to scout the 6-foot-5, 300-pounder's progress at Gulf Coast and had an offer in hand soon after from the Bulldogs.
"He told me he was going to watch my first juco game," Williams said. "He kept his word and after the second game he called to offer me. That stuck with me, and I was going to be loyal to him. Ever since then, I didn't even think about another school."
The Forest native and former Scott Central standout admits he got a little emotional the night he got his offer from State and felt a sense of relief that his winding journey over the past two years had a final destination.
"It was a dream come true getting to play at home," Williams said.
The Bulldogs were not always Williams' team of choice. He and most of his family grew up cheering for the other Southeastern Conference school in the state, mainly because it shared the same Rebels mascot as his high school.
But make no mistake, the Williams' family is now all Maroon and White.
"Everybody is on board with the Bulldogs now that I'm here," Williams said.
Williams arrived at Mississippi State in January and has mainly been practicing at offensive tackle and a few reps at guard. The redshirt sophomore may soon try his hand at center as well.
"I'll play anywhere they want me to," Williams said. "I'm just playing my role right now. I'm third on the depth chart and there's a lot of older guys in front of me this year. But I realize that's what I need because coming from juco, my strength was down due to the COVID year. This is my year to develop and that's going good. I feel mentally and physically stronger."
Although Williams is in his third year of college football, he essentially still has his whole career ahead of him thanks to his redshirt year at Arkansas State followed by a COVID season that did not count against his eligibility.
"I'm glad that it worked out the way that it did," Williams said. "I still have four years (of eligibility), so I've got plenty of time to reach my full potential. It's a blessing to still have four years left. I'm just keeping my head up and grinding it out to be stronger and get to where I need to be to compete with the people playing ball in the SEC."
Williams started his collegiate career with a redshirt at Arkansas State before deciding to return to his home state to play at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College in hopes of landing a Power 5 scholarship offer.
"I had surgery the year that I was at Arkansas State and did a lot of thinking if that was the right place for me," Williams said. "I went through that spring and had a great spring, but we got sent home because COVID broke out. So, I just bet on myself and rolled the dice to see what happened. I took a chance on myself."
The gamble paid off almost immediately. While Williams was in the transfer portal, he was contacted by MSU offensive line coach Mason Miller. Miller made a promise to scout the 6-foot-5, 300-pounder's progress at Gulf Coast and had an offer in hand soon after from the Bulldogs.
"He told me he was going to watch my first juco game," Williams said. "He kept his word and after the second game he called to offer me. That stuck with me, and I was going to be loyal to him. Ever since then, I didn't even think about another school."
The Forest native and former Scott Central standout admits he got a little emotional the night he got his offer from State and felt a sense of relief that his winding journey over the past two years had a final destination.
"It was a dream come true getting to play at home," Williams said.
The Bulldogs were not always Williams' team of choice. He and most of his family grew up cheering for the other Southeastern Conference school in the state, mainly because it shared the same Rebels mascot as his high school.
But make no mistake, the Williams' family is now all Maroon and White.
"Everybody is on board with the Bulldogs now that I'm here," Williams said.
Williams arrived at Mississippi State in January and has mainly been practicing at offensive tackle and a few reps at guard. The redshirt sophomore may soon try his hand at center as well.
"I'll play anywhere they want me to," Williams said. "I'm just playing my role right now. I'm third on the depth chart and there's a lot of older guys in front of me this year. But I realize that's what I need because coming from juco, my strength was down due to the COVID year. This is my year to develop and that's going good. I feel mentally and physically stronger."
Although Williams is in his third year of college football, he essentially still has his whole career ahead of him thanks to his redshirt year at Arkansas State followed by a COVID season that did not count against his eligibility.
"I'm glad that it worked out the way that it did," Williams said. "I still have four years (of eligibility), so I've got plenty of time to reach my full potential. It's a blessing to still have four years left. I'm just keeping my head up and grinding it out to be stronger and get to where I need to be to compete with the people playing ball in the SEC."
Players Mentioned
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