A few years ago, Bryan Williams hobbled around Georgia State’s practice field with the stride of an old man. His steps were tentative and short. He leaned forward because the pain in his back caused by a herniated disk was intense.
Now, in his fifth and final year as a college player, Williams is on track to start at safety.
“I want to give a special thanks to the Georgia State sports medicine team,” he said. “They did a great job of getting me back into the game.”
Williams suffered his injury in Aug. 2013. He returned to football in 2014, playing in three games with three tackles.
He earned more playing time last season, making 22 tackles with an interception, four passes broken up and five defended in 13 games last season.
This season, with the graduation of Tarren Batiste, Williams is starting alongside Bobby Baker.
“He’s having a great spring,” defensive coordinator Jesse Minter said. “I’m trying to get him to play his best football as a fifth-year senior.”
Williams said he has used not only his experience, but the advice of past safeties and his acumen from studying film to improve his games.
Minter said Williams has become a coach on the field.
“I’m reading formations pretty well,” he said. “I kind of recognize plays quickly due to time spent watching film.”
Williams said he never considered giving up football. His older brother was a tight end on Georgia State’s first team.
“People tell me to give it up, ‘It’s your back, it’s your spine,’” he said. “Football to me is more than just a game. It’s life. It brings my family together.”
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