Watch out for the ultimate utility player.. Zim Williams
by: Lead Journalist Jasmine Ng
“I feel like everyone should know my story and how I will make it to the top on my own with just the love and support if my group around me. I want people to know that even if you aren't the biggest fastest or strongest your dream can still come true and there are different ways to make that happen.” – Zim Williams
Everyone is a
dreamer, but can everyone take that dream and make it a reality? Everyone wants
to make it to the next level. Do you
have what it takes to showcase not only your talents but your passion?
Zim Williams going in to his senior year at
Texas College he started to play football at the age of seven with the
Arlington Blue Devils. As a young athlete when he started off, all he
remembered his dad telling him that he was too rough to play with the kids his
age.He had to wait for the following year to jump in to the sport to settle for flag football. Young Williams started off as
a Running Back and a Linebacker for the Arlington Blue Devils. He was a starter
each year with the Arlington Blue Devils. At a young age, Zim Williams had
already found his heart and will in the craft. It came easily to him as a
natural instinct. He played for the
Arlington Blue Devils until he got to Workman Junior High School. When he got
to Workman Junior High School, he soon discovered that he can throw a nice
tight spiral. Later he decided to head for the tryouts for the starting
Quarterback position. Zim Williams won the starting Quarterback position and
soon wrote history for being the shortest starting Quarterback for Workman High
School. He had a unique style as a Quarterback. He would stand in the pocket or
take you on if you had left too much field space opened. He had left no man to
come between him and the ball.
As Zim Wililiams
grew into football, his early coaches in the seventh and eighth grade had seen
many different potential in him. His
coach rotated him in different positions.
After playing quarterback, he was put as a wideout, punt return and a
running back. Coach Carruthers, Williams coach at that time told him that he is
a utility player and wherever there was a gap he would be plugged in to play in
any positions. That is where Zim had learnt to be a team player at such a young
age. It taught him that he can showcase all his talents that God has blessed
him with. Zim Williams is a very faith based kind of person. He gives his
talent up to the glory of God at such a young age because he was taught by head
coach George Cumby that would have a consistency of preaching to them about
putting God first in everything they do in life. So it had become a strong part
of his life. As an athlete he excelled
in all positions and he got the most improved player of the year with Workman
junior High School with Coach Carruthers.
Zim Williams continued his football career at
Seguin High School in Arlington, Texas. There he played Wideout and Defensive
Back until he moved to Mansfield, Texas that was where his varsity year had
begun. His varsity coach got him to play Utility Safety position because every
week his coach would change up the game plan and challenging Williams by
putting him in any needed position on the team. At one point he played free and
strong safety game plans. In the mind of Zim Williams, he was always trying to
figure out why Coach Joe Fischer never started him.
Wise words from Coach Joe Fischer to Zim Williams, “Zim the reason why I got you playing all these different positions, you may not understand but you will.”
As a look back
for Zim, it helped him realised that Coach Joe Fischer knew exactly what he was
doing and wanted to mould him to be better at his craft daily. If he hadn’t
have done what he did, Zim would have never had the opportunity to play in all
those many positions. He would have
never known how to play any other safety positions and wouldn’t have been in
college playing the whole secondary. Coach Fischer had taught him something valuable
that it is not about just him as an athlete, but it is about the team. They
made it deep in to the playoffs but losing to Denton Guyer that year.
Williams had the
honour to play with many amazing athletes. Namely one athlete named J.W Walsh,
who now plays at Oklahoma State alongside with his friend that is a wideout who
is extremely athletic. After High School Zim soon ended up at Lon Morris
College in Jacksonville, Texas where he realised as an athlete he would have to
earn his play time on the field. His first three weeks he did not have the privilege
to travel with the team. As an athlete of course you would question on your
ability because you just want to play. He worked hard at practices to show the
coaches he is worthy of a spot to be on the travel squad and by week six in the
season, he earned the spot.
He made three
forced fumbles and had four pass break ups with no interceptions at Lon Morris
College. Then Zim Williams soon transferred to McMurry University in Abilene,
Texas. This gave him opportunity to play at a higher level of competition then
he did at Lon Morris College. He had to adjust to jump to second roster by the
end of spring and left Lon Morris College in the fall to be fully transferred to
McMurry University. At McMurry University, they had him playing weak safety and
corner which came naturally to him. Soon later, his coach gave him a call to
tell him he would not be able to give him a scholarship due to lack of funds.
He couldn’t return the following school year because he couldn’t afford to be
at McMurry University. Soon later he had a recommendation to transfer to Texas
College.
Once Zim
transferred to Texas College, he knew that he would be starting from the bottom
to get to where he needs to be. Coach Cumby came in handy. At Texas College he
was told to play Weak Safety by Coach Cumby.
Coach Cumby had
taught Zim that a weak safety is a leadership position and he is the
quarterback of the secondary. Would say that he is prepping his men for battle
and the lack of their performance shall rest on his shoulders and forever on
his soul whether 100 percent or not. So men would be making sure that this is a
pleasant taste in his mouth because if not, well there will be an extracurricular
activity taking place. Coach Cumby was the type of coach that would read out
loud the plays to his men while out on the field. All this had taught him if
they have no communication then they have nothing. That is why he feels a place
in Texas College to mould him more into the athlete he needs to be.
Coach George
Cumby had taught him more than he needed as a young athlete. Taught him from an
athletic standpoint and keeps pushing him to be successful. Also by having
faith to belief and being a team player is what Texas College Steers football
team is all about. He came here to play
not as a hobby. It is his passion and livelihood. This is where he can bring
many things to any team that is willing to take a chance on him to continue his
dream. Zim Williams bring hard work, ethics as well as principle and
cohesiveness. He will make your team to
come together if there is no chemistry to be displayed. He can bring in
different techniques that he has knowledge that had helped him against his
opponents. He is a technician as an undersized football player. He can get the
team going. Any team that takes a chance on him is on the winning side.
If you take a
look at Zim Williams playing style, he is more along the lines of conservative
but will make big plays. He is without a doubt a press corner that will slow
down even with the great route combination. He can rearrange almost any receivers’
routs and he has good hands. He compares himself with Terrell Buckley who
played opposite of Deion Saunders at Florida State University. He can play the
big ball for a long deep one or can square up the press on the goal line. He
has hidden talent playing Nickleback as well. Williams is an all around athlete
in the secondary. Some would call him the utility player. He can also return
kick and bring a great locker room environment. He himself as an athlete feels
he is a major asset to the team and any team that would give him a chance to
showcase his talents.
As a young
athlete Zim Williams have many goals. Specifically when asked what his career
goals would be in football.
He said this, “My career goals after my collegiate level of play in football, the greatest game alive. I will pursue to play at the professional level of play any team that I sign with at the professional level I hope to make it my point to stay with them my entire career. I plan to be a franchise player, teaching the new guys each season as they gone and try to kern the ropes. I haven't been given many opportunities in life but when god has blessed enough to where you can give back then I believe in the least amount if anything you can share your knowledge with those who need it. I feel that I will be able to help build to build up any teams franchise and help carry them to the next bar of class. I have played this game football for 16 years now and I am prepared to earn my spot where ever I end up.”
Zim Williams himself is from Arlington, Texas where he
spent growing up in. He grew up to Tillie and Bob Burgin elementary. That is
where his friendships of a lifetime grew. Some of these friends he still keeps
in touch with and hangs out when he was in town away from school. Majority of
his circle of friends went with Workman Junior High with him. They grew
together and became a group of young men that could achieve anything they set
their minds on and they keep each other in check. High School was a critical time
for young Zim Williams trying to find himself and going off to college was an
experience because he finally was away from home to experience life.
Besides football Zim Williams have a universal sports
background. He is an all around athlete that can play both side offense and
defensive on the field and the court. Basketball was an early passion of his.
Football, basketball, baseball and track and field are the sports that either
caught his attention at a young age. He knew he would be able to excel in those
main sports. Being athletic is something that runs in his family and plans to
continue as he ages.
“I feel that even when I am 45 I will still be running pickup games with my kids. I just like to be active. I can't sit still for too long. I have issues with classes and film, not that I don't know what's going in but I just caught on to what you were teaching a long time ago. You only have to say things usually once and I catch on. “– Zim Williams
A few things Zim Williams always stresses on to work on
his techniques. He feels that being an undersized can hurt him so he uses his
mechanics to get him in any situation and with his aggressiveness. He sometimes
thinks that he can be overly aggressive sometimes on the field. In improving
himself in these situations, he is learning to slow the game down and “play the game within the game”, as
Coach Mathis his defensive coordinator says.
His field strengths would have to consist of the fact
that he can read oura offense as soon as they come to the line of scrimmage. Zim
Williams would like to think of himself as the captain of the secondary. That
is why his head coach George Cumby gave him the title as weak safety the
quarterback of the secondary. As a player, he is able to guard a wide range of
sizes from wideouts and slots. It is very important to not be able to cover a
big target but also a small target as well. Off the field Zim Williams is a
people person.
“In my past few years at Texas College I have truly been involved in countless organizations. I have participated in not only football but track and field, intramural basketball, Student Government (SGA) where I held the position of Junior Class President. I became very involved in the choir where I held a position in the base section. I also held a position in the recruiting process a Texas College by giving tours to the prospective students who came to our campus for whatever reason may it been a regular campus visit day or a Athletic Recruiting trip. I also am a certified Texas College Tutor.”
He tries to stay active all the time. During the football
season his workouts consists of weights three times a week and running two days
a week. As Zim Williams is more of a self made person that got to where his is
on his own with the help of God and a few of his coaches showing him different
workouts. That is his main motivation along having faith in God. He
continuously tries to run to the hills and know that builds the muscles in his
legs. He does ladder workouts as well for quick movements.
One thing you need to know about Zim Williams is, people
may not know about who he is throughout is journey. His quest is to make it to
the professional level of football. He did his own recruiting to get to where
he is today. Zim Williams feel that you have to have a heart for something and
have to be passionate about something at a young age in football got him to
where he is now. If it is meant to be, then nothing will stop you till you
reach your goal.
For his future, he would love to play professional
football at any level.
“I know that the NFL is something that is a tough goal to reach, but I'm willing to reach for the stars, and if stars can’t be touched, well I will grab a piece of the moon while I'm up there. I just don't want these past 16 years of hard knock body pounding football to go to waste. I'm good enough to make anyone's 53 man roster. Off the field if football is a mere figment of my imagination in the past then I shall continue to pursue my education and get my masters and work towards my teaching certification so that I may be able to come a professor and teach at the college level. Preferably would like to be in Criminal Justice.”
The main people in his corner through his journey start
with his parents that have been his main key factors that have driven him to
where he is now. Aside from the love of his parents that kept pushing him and
driving forward it is his girlfriend Lizz and his boy Alex that always kept it
real with him even if he himself did not want to hear it. They are the ones he
turns to when he is in need for a reality check in his life.
In Zim Williams words “I know I can go play professional
football at any level because my playbook is my salvation and my determination
is my meal that I will eat every night before I lay down in the bed. To your
program I can bring a player that will sell out for the team. My unit is my
platoon of soldiers and I'm always prepared to lead my men to battle. I think
the one thing that sets me apart from players that are undersized like I and
that have the will to go on like I so. I say heart is a main factor and being
able to know where you are and grow from there. I have always had to earn my
spot on the field. I never had it given to me and that's why I have a never say
due attitude. You will never see me give ip whether we up 69-0 or down 0-69,
you will get the same effort from Zimbalist Williams.”
_____________________________________SHOUTOUT______
I wanna give a shout out to my mama Sandra
Nelson-Babineaux , thank you for always helping me through my hard times and
showing me love. To my girls’ man when nobody believed in me you did. I had a
dream and you told me to stick to it. To my boy Alex man he always held ya boy
down and kept me ground and stayed real wit me. Yo JL Williams that's my dawg
right there man he always gotcha ya boy . THIS IS FOR ALL OF YALL WE MADE IT BABY!
Thank y'all from the bottom of my heart man for real and this is only the
beginning. Y'all stick around a little but longer I'm bout to shock the
world in one year.
Zim Williams Resume
Height/Weight:
5'10", 185lbs
Teams:
Arlington Blue
Devils
Workman Junior
High School
Juan Seguin High
School
Texas College
Steer
Accolades :
-3 yr starter
-3 yr starter
-all around db
- special teams
Demographics
-40: 4.39 ( stopwatch)
-bench:12 reps (225)
-pro agility : 4.13(laser)
-broad jump: 10.2
40 Time: 4.45(laser)
Vertical: 38
Short Shuttle: 4.05(stopwatch)
Strengths:
*Catching Ability
*Route Running
*Plays bigger than listed
*Team Player
*Short to Deep Threat
**** I am a captain as well as a
role player on my squad whatever my coach asks me to do I do it because I know
that if I listen to him and get the job done then I did my job as a role
player/ captain of my platoon of defensive assassins.
On the field I have earned titles
such as Texas College Football Captain, also I have been designated the
secondary captain so I have two captain titles . Also I have earned a invite to
CDFL.com's D2 vs NAIA bowl. I am a top prospect in this list as well, FNS (
football national scouting) has entered my information into the national
ranking database . Off the field I have earned many titles at Texas
College
alone I have:
•Texas College Concert Choir
•Texas College Mentor/Tutor
•MOVE( men of valor and
excellence)
•2013-2014 Junior Class
President
•Official Texas College Tour
Guides
•Texas College Track and
Field
•The Head Of The Fundraising
Chair for Texas College Choir
College stats
Tackles : 40
PBU: 4
INT:0
FF:3
Fumb Rec: 3
***passes thrown his way: 7(whole
season)
***touchdowns given up: 2( whole
season)
Film
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