Penn State enrollee J’Ven Williams has been named Mr. PA Lineman of the Year for Class 1-3A and has also been named a finalist for the Mr. PA Football Award for those three classifications.
J won the small school lineman of the year for @mrpafootball , and is a finalist for the overall award!!! @williams_jven Thanks for all who voted for all the @WyoFootball boys!! #letsgo #btb pic.twitter.com/puvwVHHp9D
— Steven O'Neil (@CoachSteveONeil) February 16, 2023
Williams is a finalist along with Steelton High quarterback Alex Erby, who Penn State offered last month, Central Martinsburg quarterback Jeff Hoenstine, who signed with St Francis (PA), Southern Columbia running back Braeden Wisloski, who signed with Maryland, Bishop Guilfoyle quarterback Karson Kiesewetter, who is walking on at Penn State and Belle Vernon running back Quinton Martin, who is one of Penn State’s top targets in the 2024 recruiting cycle.
The winner will be announced March 11.
Williams (6-foot-5, 290 pounds) dominated at Wyomissing High School this past season by showing his ability to pull out on blocks in the running game, finish off defenders at the second level and create holes at the line of scrimmage.
J’ven Williams, ladies and gentlemen. @williams_jven pic.twitter.com/kpAF0mxK5O
— Joe Smeltzer (@joesmeltzer775) September 16, 2022
In pass protection, Williams uses his length and excellent body control to gain leverage on opposing pass rushers. He’s also a great track and field athlete.
Williams is the reigning Pennsylvania state champion in the discus and shot put with throws of 66-7.75 and 167.0 respectively.
He will not be defending those titles this spring as he is already enrolled at Penn State participating in winter workouts.
Williams’s former throwing coach, Ty Smith, would love to have the big man back on his team this spring.
But he understands how good Williams is on the gridiron, and the star he could become at Penn State.
“He’s already a legend here,” Smith told Nittany Sports Now in late May, after Williams’s State championship. “I hope he becomes one in State College and beyond.”
Williams will wear No. 70 in his first season at Penn State.
Twitter: @bwalkerdadon
