Countdown UNC’s 10 Best Players: #1 Marquise Williams
In the days leading up to the start of college football season, Keeping It Heel will be counting down UNC Football’s 10 best players, continuing today with number 1, Marquise Williams. Come back to see who else makes the top 10.
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Over the past few weeks we’ve counted down the top ten football players at North Carolina. With nine players down, its time to reveal the guy who holds the #1 spot: Senior quarterback Marquise Williams.
Throughout his three years in Chapel Hill, Marquise has shown glimpses of greatness . But, the one thing that has keep him from being truly great has been consistency. Williams will have stretches (throughout the season or in a game) where he totally dominates the action. He makes big plays passing and creates havoc with his legs, basically becoming a one-man wrecking crew at times. However, when things get bad, they really get bad.
Marquise had way too many moments where he could make nothing happen and that up and down play cost the Tar Heels a game or two last season. UNC is optimistic they can have a successful 2015 campaign, and a lot of those aspirations will depend on the right arm and legs of Mr. Williams. If he’s able to provide leadership and play more even keeled, sky’s the limit for his unit.
A major key to getting the most out of Marquise is allowing him to get all the snaps. The Heels came into last season experimenting with a two quarterback system, which was an utter disaster. Back-up Mitch Trubisky never looked comfortable. That should be enough of a sample size for the coaching staff to realize that Mitch isn’t ready and the offense is in good hands with Williams, so let him play! In fact, the entire team played better when he’s under center.
North Carolina Tar Heels
As a senior, the Charlotte native is expected to be a leader of the squad. When the going gets tough and the pressure is on, Williams has to be a calming influence for this team. If he begins to panic I suspect the team will follow and that not good at all. Should Marquise lead his guys instead of blending in big things could be on the horizon. If he’s not the leader, I’m not sure Carolina has one on the offensive side of the ball.
With that being said, I’m expecting a monster senior season from Williams. He’s the true definition of a dual threat and I believe his best is yet to come. With Marquise entrenched as the starter from day one, there is no reason why this offense shouldn’t be one of the more explosive one’s in the country. He has plenty of weapons so the passing attack should be lethal and when he calls his own number or has to scramble, Marquise is as dangerous as anyone in the country in the open field.
That combination should result in Carolina lighting the scoreboard up like a Christmas Tree this season.
To make a long story short, look for Marquise to build on last season and take his game to the next level. If Williams plays more consistently, Carolina will have a better season and their senior signal caller will be right in the mix for ACC player of the year.