Jven Williams of Wyomissing is Diamond Credit Union Lineman of the Week
Diamond Credit Union Lineman of the Week
Offensive linemen rarely stand out. It’s not easy to see their technique or effectiveness in a crowded space along the line of scrimmage. That’s not the case with Wyomissing’s Jven Williams: At 6-4, 300 pounds, he stands out in a crowd. Even better, some of his best work comes in the open field when he’s pulling from his guard or tackle spot to lead a sweep.
The big junior was clearly visible Saturday against Scranton Prep as he led the way for much of the Spartans’ 328 rushing yards in their 35-14 PIAA quarterfinal victory.
He earned a 92 percent blocking grade and was awarded five pancake blocks for his work on the edge and has been named Diamond Credit Union Lineman of the Week.
“Jven was over here on the sideline, making blocks within the last 2, 3 yards (of the play),” said Wyomissing coach Bob Wolfrum, who loves offensive line play and appreciates big guys with the foot speed to get out in front of plays. “They strung ’em out and we kept going and we were blocking all the way to edge.”
Williams plays both guard and tackle, depending on the play call. Sometimes he lines up left of center, sometimes to the right. Teams never know which direction Williams will be coming from — but they know he’s coming.
“He’s pretty impressive coming around the corner,” Wolfrum said. “He can move. Sometimes the big guys have trouble making contact out in the open like that, but he doesn’t.
“Any time you have a big guy that can do the normal (blocking) things but can also pull and get down field, that’s impressive.”
Williams burst onto the national recruiting scene in September, picking up eight major offers in the span of a week, including one from Penn State.
He also has drawn offers from Michigan, Michigan State, Tennessee, Ole Miss, Maryland and Illinois, among others.
He is ranked among the Top 20 junior linemen in the nation, and the No. 1 junior tackle in Pennsylvania by 247sports.com.
Until late August Williams had never started a high school football game. Highlights of his first three games this season went out in mid September. It didn’t take long for major college programs to line up.
“The Pottsville game (Sept. 3), he was pretty impressive,” Wolfrum said. “He was impressive in all three of those games (on the video). People saw how big he was and that he can run. When you’re that big, you’ve got a shot.”
This is Williams’ second selection as Lineman of the Week; he was also picked after a Week 6 win at Southern Columbia. He is the fifth Wyomissing selection for a MikeDragoSports.com weekly award this season. Jack Miller, Nevin Carter and Matt Kramer have been selected as Defensive Player of the Week.
Also nominated for Diamond Credit Union Lineman of the Week:
- Kyle Helm, C, Exeter
- Aiden Mack, TE, Wyomissing
- Julian DiMaio, C/DT, Wyomissing
Selected for Diamond Credit Union Lineman of the Week earlier this season:
- Week 1: Tyler Hallock, T, Kutztown
- Week 2: Lucas Palange, G, Exeter
- Week 3: Colin Leahy, T, Daniel Boone
- Week 4: Josh Pazdrick, TE, Conrad Weiser
- Week 5: Nate Goodman, Gov. Mifflin
- Week 6: Jven Williams, Wyomissing
- Week 7: Kyle Pry, Boyertown
- Week 8: Lucas Palange, G, Exeter
- Week 9: Jon Ramsey, G, Wilson
- Week 10: Jack Durning, C, Wilson
- Week 11: Dominic Memmo, DT, Wilson
- Week 12: Kyle Lash, T, Exeter
- Week 13: Anthony Caccese, T, Exeter
