COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — Former Pickerington North defensive end Alexander Williams is patient. He really had no other option. That’s what happens when you play more than six years of college football, beginning at Ohio State in 2018.
“Somethings you need patience and time. Not everything will come instantly in the game of football or collegiate-level sports,” Williams said.
He had other offers from West Virginia and Yale, but Williams chose Buckeye leaves over ivy. Although, his stay in Columbus was a short one.
“The biggest regret I had was leaving Ohio State,” Williams admitted. “If I would’ve stayed patient and waited my turn like most Ohio State players, I would’ve got my shot. Decided I wanted to try and go play faster.”
Williams was still developing that patience. So, he transferred to Vanderbilt in an effort to play right away and pursue an Ivy League-like education. After two seasons, his career as a Commodore stalled out. He agreed with head coach Clark Lee to give up a roster spot but stay enrolled to finish his degree, temporarily stepping away from the game.
“I was moving furniture. I was doing junk removal, I was doing any manual labor the whole time, so I was working and going to school. a normal student for once,” Williams said.
Instead of calling it a career, he chose to exercise his other passion, training.
“Some days I was working from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., and I would still find a way to train after. It was the norm for me,” he said.
Williams finished his degree in Sociology and started a personal training business in Nashville as he waited for another opportunity in football. As Williams’ strength grew. So did his patience, and it paid off. In January of 2024, he got a phone call from his former coach, Derrick Mason, now the head football coach at Middle Tennessee State University.
“I got a call from Coach Mason saying, “You still want to play football?” And I stayed pretty ready in football shape. Two days later, I walked on the field at Middle Tennessee, and I was in pads that following day. I had four padded practices before my first game as a Blue Raider.”
Williams had one year left of eligibility, but his body had less time than that. He started in four of six games at MTSU before suffering a season-ending injury.
“Coach Mason, through four years, still trusted me to come play on his team. He never turned me down,” Williams said.
Still, at 6-foot-7 and 291 pounds, Williams had enough film for NFL teams to come calling. He signed as an undrafted free agent with the Minnesota Vikings in April.
“It seems like forever ago he was a high school senior going to Ohio State,” recalled his former head high school football coach Nate Hillerich. “His journey and his path to get this opportunity, he’s worked for it. I’m just proud that he’s able to get to where he is now.”
For Williams, it’s not all about what he’s working for. It’s about who he is working for. Williams is motivated to earn a roster spot to support his niece and nephew financially.
I don’t want them to pay for school. I didn’t have to pay for school. If they aren’t athletes and aren’t able to get scholarships, then I would hope I could take care of everything for them. I think football is the easiest route financially for that,” Williams said.
His route was not easy, and it’s still far from done. The Pickerington product now has to earn a roster spot in the NFL.
“I want to show Coach Flores that he picked the right guy,” Williams said. He will attend the Vikings’ rookie minicamp; he will not participate as he continues to rehab from his injury. He is hoping to be activated by OTA’s to earn his role on the team. Williams can play anywhere on the defensive line, in fact, he is so versatile the Vikings see him playing anywhere “1 through 7.”
For a man who makes a living rushing the passer, Alexander learned that there are certain things in life you just can’t rush.
