When asked to describe freshman defensive end Amaris Williams, Jalen McLeod’s answer was short, but telling.
“He’s that guy, I’m going to say it right now, he’s that guy,” McLeod said after Friday’s practice.
Williams was one of the highlights of Auburn’s top 10 ranked 2024 recruiting class. Rated as a five-star prospect by 247Sports, Williams was Auburn’s highest ranked defensive player in the class.
He tallied 11 sacks and 20 tackles for loss during his senior year of high school at Clinton High School in North Carolina, according to MaxPreps. Listed at 6-foot-2 and 269 pounds, McLeod credited his strength and power.
“He’s strong; a big meatball of power. He’s just strong. Like, he different,” McLeod said.
Williams was participating in defensive end drills alongside Keldric Faulk and Zykeivous Walker during the open portion of Friday’s practice, getting reps in the more classic defensive end role.
Faulk was in a similar position to Williams a year ago.
“I think they’re two different players, but they both can go on to (be) stars,” McLeod said, comparing the two. “Amaris has just got to take that step and be in the film. And once he do that, man, he’s going to take off.”
Head coach Hugh Freeze said at SEC Media Days that they want to play more of a rotation on the edge, allowing Williams and other players to get snaps.
Williams was one of five edge rushers Auburn signed along with fellow freshmen TJ Lindsey, Joe Phillips and Jamonta Waller and Arkansas State transfer Keyron Crawford.
“He’s probably a better pass-rusher than me in my opinion,” McLeod said of Crawford. “He’s got a bag that’s different. He’s got a good get-off. He’s the prototype. Got the size and his size shows on the field, too.”
That’s high praise coming from McLeod, who was second on the team in sacks and tackles for loss last season.
Crawford had five and a half sacks at Arkansas State last season and plays the BUCK position for Auburn. He’s another player that Freeze mentioned will be in the rotation on the edge.
McLeod himself enters the season as one of the leaders of the group. He dealt with injuries during last year’s fall camp, but says being healthy now is huge for him in maintaining his weight, which he said is in a good place now.
His health and his leadership will be important for Auburn’s defense this season.
“My main focus is [to] make sure I’m in the right gap, my technique is sound, I bend strong at the point of attack, it’s just making sure I’m almost perfect every snap,” McLeod said. “I’m not going to always make the play; I can set people up so they can make the play too. That’s how we’ll be a better defense.”
