 Photo by Charles Barlow |
Semper Fidelis All-American Linebacker Camren Williams (West Roxbury, MA/Catholic Memorial) looked like he had his football future all set months ago. Last spring Camren verbally committed to Penn State and was ready to be the next best linebacker at Linebacker U. Needless to say things became up in the air with the Sandusky scandal and a lot of the old Penn State staff let go. With National Signing Day only a few days away the four star recruit had a lot to think about and with a lot of schools after the talented linebacker he changed his mind and decided to make his committment to The Ohio State University. There were a lot of factors in his decision and he talked with JuniorRank's Terry Schilling about how he became a Buckeye, thoughts on the late Joe Paterno and his time in Phoenix playing in the Semper Fi Bowl.
Q: You originally verbally committed to Penn State, what changed your mind to de-commit from there?
A: Well I had the opportunity to look at the situation with Penn State and really its not what Penn State didn’t have it’s what Ohio State had for me. I could play early, I love the coaches they have in place, and it's a great university.
Q: With the whole Sandusky scandal and the firing of Joe Paterno, did any of that have anything to do with your decision?
A: To be honest it didn’t have a lot to do with it. When all the stories came out about Sandusky, the things going on at Penn State were out of my hand and I tried my best to not let that affect me and my decision. The only thing would be a lot of old coaches were let go; those were the guys who I had relations with so it was tough to see them leave. I really liked their linebacker coach and like I said when they got let go I had to rethink my decision.
Q: You knew Joe Paterno personally after he recruited you, what was your reaction to his death and what were your thoughts on him in the short time you knew him.
A: It was really tough, one of my first thoughts was I hope he would have been able to clear up everything and explain himself. It’s unfortunate this could affect his legacy. He’s a great coach and even a better person. What he did for the University is unbelievable and the things he did for his players on and off the field speaks for itself. All the negative press I hope it doesn’t affect how people view him, he did a lot of positive things over the years.
Q: So you will be playing your college football at Ohio State next fall, were they always at the top of your list and what was it about them that made you decide to go there?
A: Well Ohio State had already offered me a scholarship earlier. After the whole situation with Penn State, Ohio State Linebacker coach Mike Vrabel called my father and asked if I was still interested in going there. My dad said we’re very interested and we went to the school for a visit. I loved the campus, obviously they have great athletics and for what I want to go to school for they have a great program and great academic facilities. The coaching staff they have in place is great. Mike Vrabel is a great linebacker coach, Urban Meyer and Luke Fickell have a lot of experience and it will be amazing to learn from them. Another thing is they have a great need at linebacker and it’s a chance for me to play early. After weighing all those things Ohio State was the best fit for me.
Q: Did coach Urban Meyer being hired as the new Ohio State Head Coach have anything to do with you signing there?
A: It definitely had an effect. He was a great coach at Florida; he’s arguably the best coach in college football. He’s a great person, with all his emphasis on spirituality and morality it’s something that really intrigued me. He’s a great guy and the chance to play for him will be a great opportunity.
Q: You come from a football family and your dad, Brent Williams who played for the New England Patriots is a well known name too in the recruiting world. What did he have to say throughout this whole process?
A: He was great, definitely plays the devils advocate on every school. He helps me see which school would be the best fit for me. Ask me things like what does this school have to offer academically and athletically that best suits me? He knows a lot of tricks of the trade in what coaches try to say to you, so he was a huge help for me and is happy with my decision.
Q: Describe the past few months for you as you weighed your decisions and what your looking forward too most when you play football at Ohio State?
A: The last 3 months have been crazy, with the scandal at Penn State to my football season. People were wanting to interview me after everything happened. I was just trying to enjoy my senior year, win a state title and focus on my schoolwork. Then I had to talk with media and how I felt about everything and where I would be going to school next fall, it was a lot. Now to be committed and be happy with my decision, tons of weight is lifted off my shoulders and i'm just really excited to go to Ohio State. I’m looking forward to the chance to be at a great school, a great social atmosphere and being able to play football at one of the top universities in the country.
Q: Lastly, you played in the Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl in Phoenix in January, how was your time there and what are some things you will take away from the game?
A: It was really cool, I have never been to Phoenix before and it’s beautiful out there, the weather was perfect. I was able to go to the Arizona Cardinals game, take part of the fiesta bowl flag rollout and the parade. Being able to play in Chase Field was amazing and I got the chance to play with the best players in the country. Still talk to a few of my teammates from there, it was moments we would remember for the rest of our lives. I’ll take a lot from being around the Marine Corps. Being able to talk to them and see the way they look at things was something else. They put in our head to be a better person academically, morally and show good character. It was something you don’t get to do everyday, it was really life changing.
By Terry Schilling
