OU Director of Sports Enhancement: Trent Williams “Not a Gym Rat”

Originally Published: Apr 27, 2010 12:47 PM CDT

Dave Carty
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

NORMAN, Oklahoma -- Questions surrounding the work ethic of former Oklahoma Sooner Trent Williams followed the offensive lineman right up until the NFL Draft.

And while he was selected first off the board among offensive linemen – 4th overall by the Washington Redskins – the perception still lingers that Williams wasn’t the hardest worker in his time at Norman.

Jason Reid of the Washington Post spoke to Oklahoma director of sports enhancement Jerry Schmidt, who had mostly positive things to say about Williams, but also made note of his questionable work ethic.

"He's one of those guys, he's definitely not a gym rat. If he was, there wouldn't be anybody even close to him," Schmidt told the newspaper. "If he really committed himself, it wouldn't even be close. He'd be the best ever. That's how much talent he's got. There's a lot of talent there that he just hasn't tapped.

"He's got a lot of natural, God-given ability. He's got great feet, balance, which allows him to play both guard and tackle. Even as a young player, you could tell right away how talented he was. He has a great upper-body, just real natural strength. You look at him, the way he runs, there's not many athlete that big who can run like that. He's a very talented guy.

"My biggest thing with him, right now he's got the talent to be the best that's ever come out of here. He was one of the best. If he put his mind to it and really went after it, the sky's the limit for him. He could go to the Pro Bowl as many times as he wants. But it's on him, how hard he wants to play, how much he puts into it, how good he wants to be."