For the last three years, Jevon Williams has been a solid role player for the Union Yellowjackets and coach Brad Breland.
But with Tradarius Harris and 90 percent of the Jackets’ offense gone, Williams is accepting his role as Union’s new go-to man, making him an easy choice for The Newton County Appeal’s Elite 11.
Williams had a solid junior year for the Yellowjackets, who shook off a third-place finish in Division 5-2A to make the third round of the Class 2A playoffs. Williams led the Yellowjackets and the county in interceptions with five and had 29.5 tackles. On offense, Williams scored 34 points and had 213 yards receiving on 21 catches. He will also return punts and kicks for the Jackets this year.
“He looks like he is playing with a little bit more confidence,” Breland said. “He’s playing like he’s the man and that’s what we need. He’s stepping up and the kids see who is the bell cow and I hope he’s ready to step up and do that now.”
Williams is quick to realize that he’s going to have to be a leader for the Yellowjackets.
“I know I am going to have to step up because we are missing a lot of skill players from last year,” Williams said. “Our big-time quarterback is gone and we have a lot of spots that we are going to have to fill out. I just have to step up and be a leader. It’s a different role for me.”
Breland has seen the hard work that Williams has put in this summer.
“He is really talented and has worked really hard this summer,” Breland said. “He has done a good job for us and has been a starter for us for four years. He has been one of our go-to receivers and one of our best corners for four years. He has been to a lot of camps and has developed his skills. Hopefully he will have a good year. He has been much better on his route running this summer and has been much better with it recently.”
Williams said he has used the summer to work on his speed and technique.
“I just want to be one of the best players in 2A,” Williams said. “I have been working out with my team a lot this summer, trying to get to know them better. And I’ve been going to a lot of camps. There was a lot of competition at the Mississippi State camp. I learned that I have a lot to work on but I did feel like I could compete with them. I need to work on my speed and get better there. I’ve been doing a lot of squats and running hills this summer to try and get faster.”
Breland said Williams will see plenty of time on both sides of the football.
“He will be one of our top two or three guys that we go to this year,” Breland said. “He is going to do a little bit of everything. He’s going to run the ball, catch it, return punts and kicks. We expect him to have a really good year.”
On offense, Breland expects Williams to have the ball in his hands plenty.
“He’s a true slot guy on offense for us and we will get the ball in his hands,” Breland said. “We will run some option with him and run some speed sweeps. He’s one of the guys that we will have to get the ball in his hands and turn the ball up the field. He just needs to keep developing confidence.”
On defense, Breland has moved Williams to safety from cornerback.
“Right now, he is playing safety,” Breland said. “We are going to see how the season goes and who develops. We can always move him back to corner and gives us a little more flexibility. I definitely think he can play college football. I think if he works hard and gets better footwork, he projects as a defensive back. I think he has skills and the footwork, he just needs to continue to work on them.”
