Entrance Exam is a series at BuckeyeNation where we chat with incoming freshmen in Ohio State athletics.
Linebacker Camren Williams comes to Ohio State this fall to help fill a position in which the Buckeyes need some help.
The 6-foot-2, 210-pound Williams (West Roxbury, Mass./Catholic Memorial) is a 1-2 combination with high school teammate Armani Reeves, who will also be a Buckeye this season.
A Boston Globe All-Scholastic selection in 2011, Williams' size, athleticism and open-field awareness led to 119 tackles last season. He is projected to be a middle linebacker for Ohio State.
The 2012 recruit originally gave his commitment to Penn State, but backed out when the Jerry Sandusky scandal surfaced.
He talked to BuckeyeNation about why he picked Ohio State, his friendship with Reeves and what he expects in his first season in Columbus.
BN: What made you sign with Ohio State?
Williams: I was actually committed to Penn State. But once the whole scandal happened, Ohio State reached out to me and told me there was a big need for a linebacker and I had to check out the school and did. I loved the campus and loved Coach [Luke] Fickell. Once Coach [Urban] Meyer was hired, he has a great history with his teams. The coaching staff was great. The academics are great. I want to major in exercise physiology. It was just the best mix for me for academics and athletics. It was a great fit.
BN: You got to see the spring game a few months ago. What were your impressions?
Williams: It was great. I really like what Coach Meyer's schemes are looking like. We're going to play really fast. They're getting a lot of great players. They have great players now. I think the system fits [Ohio State quarterback] Braxton Miller even better. The offense is great. I really like the system and what they're doing. Having gone to the game and it was raining and the weather was lousy and there were still 85,000 fans to show up, that was pretty impressive.
BN: Regardless of whether or not Ohio State redshirts you, what do you hope to learn your first year?
Williams: I'm not really sure what their plans are for me, but I'm going to do my best and compete and see what happens. I definitely trust Ohio State and Coach Fickell's judgment. I just want to learn the speed of the game, learn the system as best I can and be ready to play my second year, if not my first year. I want to get used to what it's like to be in college and what it's like to manage my time and do things the right way. It's getting used to Ohio State and feeling comfortable with everything.
BN: You're coming with Reeves to Columbus. Do you think that will make the transition easier? What do you bring to the Buckeyes?
Williams: It definitely makes my transition easier. It's like I'm bringing home with me. I've basically lived with him because he's over my house all the time. I've known him since the fifth grade. What I bring is I'm a good linebacker who knows a lot about the game. I'm athletic. I can run with the wide receivers and hit the big running backs. I'm a good package.
BN: Where do you see yourself in four years?
Williams: I definitely want a degree. That's first and foremost. I want to be a more mature man who is prepared for life. Hopefully if things really work out, I could play in the NFL. That's why I picked Ohio State. I felt it was the best place for me to maximize all those areas. I want to be the best person, the best Christian, the best athlete and the best student I can be. I feel even if I come out being the best person with a degree, then I've had a successful trip.