Temple University Athletics
Photo by: Joseph V. Labolito/Temple University
Avery Williams Brings Pride to the Owls
8.8.15 | Football
PHILADELPHIA - Football players are known for their intense passion and desire to succeed. On North Broad, few embody that spirit like redshirt junior linebacker Avery Williams. While his counterpart Tyler Matakevich has earned all the preseason accolades and looks to make program history with four seasons of 100+ tackles, Williams is no slacker. He provides electricity with jarring hits and looks to establish himself as a leader. The two give the Owls defense reliable outside linebackers and continues to build on the success from last season.
Williams joined the Owls after graduating from Bishop Curley High School in Baltimore, where he excelled as a running back and safety. After redshirting his freshman year, he started the season in the backfield but switched to defense and linebacker. He earned a starting spot last season at strong side linebacker, or SAM. His responsibility keeps him outside the tackle box, lining up against either a tight end or slot receiver. He credits his experience as a safety to the quick acclimation to outside linebacker.
While football is a team game, the outcome often hinges on one-on-one matchups. Williams is familiar with that mentality. While in high school, he was a standout wrestler and earned All-State accolades. That experience shapes his approach to taking on a slot receiver or running back in open space. "I got my whole team depending on me. It's one-on-one. It's me and him. I'm not gonna let this guy beat me 'cause if he beats me, he's beating my defense. … If he beats me, I'm letting my brothers down." Williams held his own last season, accruing 34 tackles in nine games while picking up 3.5 tackles for loss and a game-sealing sack against Tulane in the season finale, a 10-3 Owls win.
His play in 2014 camp earned him a starting role before a knee injury kept him out of three midseason conference games. Williams overcame the adversity and returned to the starting lineup against Cincinnati. This offseason, he took on a leadership role while preparing to start in the fall. He helped newcomers like Daishaun Grimes and Chapelle Russell transition to the college game. "Everything I did was to influence them, no matter what the summer workout was, how hard it was, I had to go hard to influence them." The Baltimore native's intense playing style, outgoing demeanor, and commitment to lead make him an ideal Owl and draw comparisons to another great linebacker associated with Baltimore: Ray Lewis. His demeanor and desire to better those around him is a mindset shared by his teammates and will continue to build this program.
The Owls tripled their win total from 2013 to 2014 on a strong defensive effort. Head coach Matt Rhule is looking to continue that build into this season. After 27 sacks last season, he set a goal for 40 this season, just over one more per game in the 12-game regular season. Williams is confident that the linebackers will contribute to that goal, pledging his unit will contribute half of that amount. This competitive nature and a veteran group make this attainable. Interior lineman Hershey Walton and Matt Ioannidis will consume blockers, leaving room for Williams and Matakevich to enter the backfield and make key plays.
Many experts think Temple's defense is the team's strong suit and returning 10 starters from the fourth-best scoring defense nationally helps that case. In fact, some would think the Owls might have some superheroes in that defensive huddle. A fan of the Marvel movies, Williams was quick to assign those famous roles to his teammates. Matakevich is his pick for Thor, while Ionnidis would be Wolverine. Fellow linebacker Stephawn Marshall could step into the billionaire life of Iron Man for his "smooth talking." Defensive back Will Hayes should be The Human Torch for his ability to turn on the power while Tavon Young's playmaking skill on the ball makes him a great Hawkeye. Lombardi watch list nominee Praise Martin-Oguike could be the Fantastic Four's powerhouse The Thing. As for Williams? He kept it modest, like always: "I'm the Hulk." With that cast of characters, fans should be in for a blockbuster season from the Owls.
Williams joined the Owls after graduating from Bishop Curley High School in Baltimore, where he excelled as a running back and safety. After redshirting his freshman year, he started the season in the backfield but switched to defense and linebacker. He earned a starting spot last season at strong side linebacker, or SAM. His responsibility keeps him outside the tackle box, lining up against either a tight end or slot receiver. He credits his experience as a safety to the quick acclimation to outside linebacker.
While football is a team game, the outcome often hinges on one-on-one matchups. Williams is familiar with that mentality. While in high school, he was a standout wrestler and earned All-State accolades. That experience shapes his approach to taking on a slot receiver or running back in open space. "I got my whole team depending on me. It's one-on-one. It's me and him. I'm not gonna let this guy beat me 'cause if he beats me, he's beating my defense. … If he beats me, I'm letting my brothers down." Williams held his own last season, accruing 34 tackles in nine games while picking up 3.5 tackles for loss and a game-sealing sack against Tulane in the season finale, a 10-3 Owls win.
His play in 2014 camp earned him a starting role before a knee injury kept him out of three midseason conference games. Williams overcame the adversity and returned to the starting lineup against Cincinnati. This offseason, he took on a leadership role while preparing to start in the fall. He helped newcomers like Daishaun Grimes and Chapelle Russell transition to the college game. "Everything I did was to influence them, no matter what the summer workout was, how hard it was, I had to go hard to influence them." The Baltimore native's intense playing style, outgoing demeanor, and commitment to lead make him an ideal Owl and draw comparisons to another great linebacker associated with Baltimore: Ray Lewis. His demeanor and desire to better those around him is a mindset shared by his teammates and will continue to build this program.
The Owls tripled their win total from 2013 to 2014 on a strong defensive effort. Head coach Matt Rhule is looking to continue that build into this season. After 27 sacks last season, he set a goal for 40 this season, just over one more per game in the 12-game regular season. Williams is confident that the linebackers will contribute to that goal, pledging his unit will contribute half of that amount. This competitive nature and a veteran group make this attainable. Interior lineman Hershey Walton and Matt Ioannidis will consume blockers, leaving room for Williams and Matakevich to enter the backfield and make key plays.
Many experts think Temple's defense is the team's strong suit and returning 10 starters from the fourth-best scoring defense nationally helps that case. In fact, some would think the Owls might have some superheroes in that defensive huddle. A fan of the Marvel movies, Williams was quick to assign those famous roles to his teammates. Matakevich is his pick for Thor, while Ionnidis would be Wolverine. Fellow linebacker Stephawn Marshall could step into the billionaire life of Iron Man for his "smooth talking." Defensive back Will Hayes should be The Human Torch for his ability to turn on the power while Tavon Young's playmaking skill on the ball makes him a great Hawkeye. Lombardi watch list nominee Praise Martin-Oguike could be the Fantastic Four's powerhouse The Thing. As for Williams? He kept it modest, like always: "I'm the Hulk." With that cast of characters, fans should be in for a blockbuster season from the Owls.
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