30 in 30: Alonzo Williams gets his shot at DT

For the second consecutive year, AggieYell.com is marking the progress towards the start of fall camp with its 30 players in 30 days feature on the most important players to Texas A&M's success in 2013. The list continues with number 15, Alonzo Williams.

Position: Defensive tackle

Classification: Sophomore

Height/Weight: 6'4", 280 lbs.

2012 Statistics: 5 tackles and 1 QB hurry in 7 games (1 start).

Why he's on the list: Last year, Texas A&M was successful in the SEC West with an undersized defensive tackle playing significant snaps. That undersize tackle was Spencer Nealy, a senior who is well on his way to legendary status due to his fire and tenacity. Nealy is now gone, and the Aggies are looking to a slightly younger undersized defensive tackle in Williams to take his place.

Williams performed well in his lone start of the 2012-13 season, as a defensive end in the Cotton Bowl. This season, however, the Aggies need him inside next to Kirby Ennis, and he has played with the first team since the first practice of spring ball. While Ennis is the key element to the defensive line with his size, strength and experience, A&M's coaches are hoping for solid returns from Williams in his first season as a starter. He's bigger and stronger than Nealy and significantly faster; whether he brings Nealy's controlled fury and understanding of the game to the position is the only question. So far, he appears to have done what's expected of him: he performed well in Saturday's critical scrimmage and has been able to hold his own against A&M's massive offensive line in practice. If he can do that once the season begins, the Aggies will have found the solution to another potential problem.