30 college football players with big shoes to fill in 2017
By Brad Weiss
Jonah Williams
Offensive Tackle, Alabama
The Alabama Crimson Tide lost a heartbreaker to the Clemson Tigers in the National Championship Game earlier in the year, ending the season of one of the more well-rounded teams in college football history. Aside from all of the losses on defense, the Tide also lost their starting left tackle, who is certain to be a second or third round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. Cam Robinson was the best left tackle in the SEC during his time with Alabama, and will be a tough player to replace this season.
The man tasked with that job is Jonah Williams, who moves over from right tackle. As a freshman last season, Williams was an All-American, but will have tougher matchups on the left side of the offensive line. He should definitely be up to the challenge, and with the expectations being getting back to the title game, he is going to be crucial to their success in 2017.
Matt Womack is likely to slide into Williams’ spot on the right side of the line, giving Alabama arguably the best tackle duo in the SEC. Alabama returns starting quarterback Jalen Hurts, as well as running back Bo Scarbrough, who is likely going to be a first-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. Alabama should be back in the running for a national title again in 2017, as the sting of last year’s title game loss has to be weighing on head coach Nick Saban.
There is no doubt that Williams is talented enough to supplant Robinson on the left side, and he may actually end up being a better tackle in the long run. Alabama has the luxury of replacing top talent with more top talent, and Williams got to work with Robinson last season as a freshman. Protecting Hurts’ blind side is definitely a priority, and the Tide will line up another solid tackle on that side of the line next season.