Josh Williams

Denton, Texas (Ryan High)

6-4, 228, weakside defensive end

Of note: A three-star prospect, Williams is the No. 14-rated weakside defensive end prospect in the nation. He’s also the 63rd-ranked player overall in Texas.

This week: The Raiders play their only Saturday game of the season when they host Sherman High School today at 2 p.m. Ryan High is 2-3 overall and 1-0 in district play.

Just like the movies

Television shows like ‘Friday Night Lights’ and movies such as ‘Varsity Blues’ don’t overromanticize Texas high school football, Williams says.

Home games for Ryan High, which has won two state championships recently, routinely draws  crowds of about 10,000. Ryan High plays in Class 4A, the second-largest classification.

“It’s overwhelming,” Williams said. “You never would think people would take high school football so seriously — it’s a big thing down here. High school stadiums look like college stadiums, and when they fill them up on Friday night it’s just amazing. There is nothing like it on the high school level.

“Everywhere you go it’s, ‘How you going to do this week … Good job … How’s the season going?’”

Football practice begins during the fourth block of the school day, and runs from about 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Don’t forget spring football, which includes a three-week period in full pads and concludes with a full scrimmage that pits the No. 1 defense against the No. 1 offense.

Getting physical

A fast and physical player, Williams has already recorded hefty statistics: 40 tackles, 15 tackles-for- loss and eight sacks this season. In the season opener, against 5A school Colleyville Heritage, he had four sacks, and in another game 12 tackles.

The hit they’re still talking about, though, is the one from a first-round playoff game last season that knocked out the quarterback and slowed a high-octane offense. Williams tracked down a scrambling quarterback from behind and put a lick on him that gave the QB a concussion and neck stinger.

Wanted man

At least 15 NCAA Division I scholarship offers came Williams’ way. His final three choices were  Nebraska, Oklahoma State and Arkansas.

Williams says the Huskers’ game today against Oklahoma State doesn’t mean any more than the others,  because he’s been focused on Nebraska since his late July verbal commitment.

He attended NU’s game against Southern California earlier this season, and hopes to return for the Kansas State game.

“Loved it,” said Williams of his visit for the USC game. “I’ve never been to anything like that before. It was an unbelievable experience.”

— Brent C. Wagner