Boston College Athletics
Q&A with Senior Offensive Lineman Harris Williams
August 21, 2015 | Football
Chestnut Hill, Mass. - Boston College senior offensive lineman Harris Williams missed the 2014 season after suffering a season-ending ankle injury during the opener against Massachusetts. On a young offensive line, his experience is invaluable. Williams took time to talk about the upcoming season as the Eagles prepare to open up the season against Maine on Sept. 5.
When you suffered a season-ending injury in the opener last year, how tough was it realizing that you wouldn’t get to play your senior season alongside some of your teammates of whom you’ve been on the line with since freshman year?
It was very tough, mostly because I came in with those guys and we built a great rapport together over the past five years. So it was definitely tough not being able to be out there with Andy [Gallik], Seth [Betancourt] and Bobby [Vardaro] and help them out with their goals in getting to the NFL.
Do you think you gained any additional perspective from watching the game from the sidelines last season?
Yeah, it definitely helped me out to be able to look at things through the coaches’ eyes and to see how they react with players. Just looking at the dynamic helps me leverage that into becoming a better leader and someone who can help out the younger guys.
Can you talk about what the transition was like going from being one of the returning starters on an experienced line last year to being the only returning starter on a line with little to no experience this season?
If you think about it, [the younger players] have had the playbook longer than any of the guys prior to this point now. So Andy, Seth and those guys, only had it for two years, whereas these younger guys have had it for three years. So sure, they don’t have the game experience but them having the playbook experience helps us be able to take a huge step forward and do more dynamic stuff with the playbook.
What are some of the responsibilities you’ve taken upon yourself to help these younger players grow and develop?
I’ve kind of become something of a teacher. We have a lot more meetings, extra sessions at night and just having them come and ask me any questions they have. We also watch film together and I’m just trying to teach them to study the game of football better.
Being an in-state kid from Lynn, what’s it like to be able to play in front of your family and friends?
It’s a huge honor and very fun to have my parents there every single game—they haven’t missed a single game since high school. It’s just a huge honor to be able to play in Boston and in front of the BC super fans, my family and friends. No words can describe that feeling.
Has there been anything you’ve taken from your love of computers that has helped you become better on the football field?
In this class called algorithms, I’ve learned that if you do one thing that doesn’t help you get to your ultimate goal—even if it’s something you think might help with your Plan B—it’s taking away from your terminal effect. So it’s taught me that you just have to try to throw everything that you can to what you’re doing and go at it with all of your force.
What do you hope to achieve during your final season at Boston College?
I hope to be a better leader and to lead the team to a championship and many wins this year.
