Sylvester’s own Meshak Williams signed on as a free agent last Monday to play football in the NFL with the defending Super Bowl Champions, the Baltimore Ravens. The 2009 Worth County High School graduate gained national attention with the Kansas State Wildcats in his junior and senior seasons as a defensive end. Last season, Williams established himself as one of the most feared defenders in the Big-12 conference by recording 45 tackles, 11 sacks, and three forced fumbles.
After K-State won the Big-12 Championship in 2012, the former Ram was expected to be picked up early in the 2013 NFL draft. But as the days wore on, Meshak was not signed. Many talking heads in the football world claimed the 6’3” 240 pound defender did not have the size or speed to play pro ball. But to watch him play, anyone could see the Worth native’s explosiveness and passion on the field. It took the most recent Super Bowl Champions to realize this potential, and two weeks ago, Williams was contacted by the Baltimore Ravens.
In a telephone interview from Baltimore last Thursday evening, Meshak explained, “They said I was too small for defensive end, and too small for line backer, or something like that. But, Baltimore called me for a tryout at their rookie camp. So, I had a chip on my shoulder. I wanted to prove to them what I could do, and that’s what I did.”
However, Williams will have to continue proving himself if he hopes to earn a spot on the Ravens’ defense this fall. He said he is currently trying out for another camp, and if he can make it through this second trial, the NFL prospect will move on to training camp in August.
Many analysts also predicted at the end of the 2012 college football season that Baltimore may be a good fit for the Worth County grad as the 3-4 defense fits his style well. Though he played defensive end throughout his college career, Williams is training as an outside linebacker with the Ravens. The 2009 WCHS grad says he also believes the Ravens defense is a good fit because they rush more than dropping back, and he says he is already familiar with the new role.
According to Williams, “We ran a little 3-4 at K-State, so I have some experience and I know what to expect with the coverage and everything.”
From humble beginnings in Sylvester, Meshak is now competing among the best football players in the nation. For generations of Worth football players to come, the NFL hopeful stands as a testament to hard work, dedication, and the will to achieve. Now, the opportunity of a life time is his reward. Still, the former Ram knows his challenge has only just begun.
“It has worked out for me so far, but I’m just working really hard to show them what I can do. Hopefully I can make it through this camp, and through the training camp in August, and on into the pre-season. I’m going to keep working hard, especially because the Ravens have always been my favorite team, ever since I was young. So, I feel blessed.”
