TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Quinnen Williams was eyeing an opportunity.
Once Alabama wrapped up its 2017 national championship run, Williams knew the Crimson Tide would lose All-American Daron Payne to the NFL draft. So he was on board when Alabama's coaches approached him about replacing Payne, a position switch that would require a move from edge defender to nose guard.
"At first I was like, 'I'm light. I'm small,'" said Williams, who was a rotational player last season at 6'4", 285 pounds. "But they told me not to worry about that and only focus on the technique.