Offseason of opportunity

Derailed by injuries for most of his college career, Julian Williams is working hard in the offseason to prove himself.

There’s little doubt that North Carolina State’s 6-foot-5, 311-pound left tackle is a massive force. However, in his final season with the Wolfpack, he wants to make sure he’s on the field for every game.

“This is my last shot,” said Williams, a 2005 New Bern High School graduate. “I’ve been working every day just trying to stay healthy for the season. I know what to expect and I know what to do, so I just train like that every day.”

Last season, Williams started the first five games before suffering a dislocated shoulder against Boston College. He sat out the following two games and finished the season as a reserve.

The Wolfpack finished with a 6-7 record after suffering a loss to Rutgers in the Papajohns.com Bowl. The Wolfpack offensive line paved the way for an offense that averaged 329 yards per game.

Williams made a major impact on N.C. State’s offense, protecting quarterback Russell Wilson’s blind side.

“Last year, I think I got off to a good start, but it was interrupted by injury and was never able to get back on track,” Williams said. “The main thing is to try and stay away from injuries.”

Williams plans to turn things around. He has spent the offseason conditioning and preparing for the grind of another 13-game schedule.

He is also attempting to be more vocal on the field.

“That will play a pretty big part,” Williams said. “I had a little leadership role last year, even though it was my junior year. I am just going to try to keep the guys up and I expect them to do the same to me. So being a leader on and off the field is big.”

Williams has started 14 games for the Wolfpack the last two seasons. He also missed five games during that span. He was redshirted in 2005 and didn’t see action in 2006.

Williams is slated as a starter on the preseason depth chart approaching the first team practice on Aug. 3. He said he is ready to get back on the field.

“That’s what I came here for, to play football,” he said. “I’m excited to see what we’ve got this year and to get the season started on the right foot.”

Williams is big and strong enough for the pros and getting drafted by an NFL team is his dream. Together, he knows this season is important for him to get his shot.

“I think I’ve got a good shot to play professional if I stay healthy and have a pretty big year,” Williams said. “I expect to produce and help my team win. I’m going to bring that toughness by punishing who is across from me.”

Williams is one of four returning starters on the N.C. State offensive line. The others are Ted Larson, Jake Vermiglio and Jeraill McCuller.

Just last week, the offensive line took a small step toward building a bond, attending a cookout.

“We felt like that was a big problem the last couple of years, not hanging out with each other and then going out on Saturday and trying to play together,” Williams said. “The line has to be the tightest unit on the field.”

The Wolfpack opens the season on Sept. 3 against South Carolina, a game that will be televised on ESPN.

Although N.C. State made a bowl appearance last season for the first time since the 2005-06 campaign, the goals are set higher.

“The ACC Championship is our goal, but we’ve got to start with South Carolina, our first game of the season,” Williams said. “This is going to be one of our best chances for a while. We have an experienced team and a veteran team. We will be pretty good.”

At New Bern, Williams was an all-state performer during his senior season. In his junior season, he didn’t give up a sack and the Bears finished with a 14-2 record and earned a trip to the 4-AA state championship game.

Adam Thompson can be reached at (252) 635-5670 or at athompson@freedomenc.com.

Julian Williams

High School — New Bern

Position — Left tackle

College — North Carolina State

2008 — Started the first five games of the season. Due to a dislocated shoulder, Williams missed two games in the middle of the season. Played the final six games in a backup role.

2007 — Started nine games. Missed three because of a knee injury. Played in 554 snaps, including a career-high 79 against Boston College.

2006 — Did not play.

2005 — Redshirted following knee surgery.