Elite Cal Golden Bears cornerback Nohl Williams has been added to the Bednarik Award Watch List. Named after Hall of Famer Chuck Bednarik, the award is presented annually to the nation’s top collegiate defensive player.
After playing both wide receiver and defensive back at the prep level, Williams began his collegiate career with the UNLV Rebels. With Las Vegas, he developed a connection with Tre Watson, the Rebels’ defensive backs coach. When Watson left UNLV for Berkeley, Calif., in 2021 to take the defensive secondary coaching position with the Golden Bears, Williams remained at UNLV for two seasons before reuniting with Watson at Cal in 2023.
The 6-foot-1 standout defender started all 13 games for the Golden Bears last season. In his senior campaign, Williams is performing at the highest level. He leads the nation in interceptions with six in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS).
Following Cal’s victory over Auburn in Week 2, Williams was named ACC Defensive Back of the Week.
Williams also excels as a return specialist. In Cal’s season opener, he returned a kickoff 80 yards for a touchdown.
In the Golden Bears’ heartbreaking loss to the Miami Hurricanes on Oct. 5, Williams had a spectacular pick-six on the opening play of the second half.
Based on his consistently excellent performance, ESPN included Williams on its midseason list of the 25 best players in college football.
ESPN staff writer Paolo Uggetti sensibly advises quarterbacks to avoid throwing in Williams’ direction:
“If you are a quarterback and you see Williams out in the distance covering one of your receivers, here’s a word of advice: Don’t throw it there. There might be more talented corners in college football, but through six games, no one has made offenses pay the way Williams has. The senior leads the nation in interceptions with six — yes, that is one per game — which is two more than any other defensive back in the country…”
In their homecoming game on Saturday, Williams and the Golden Bears host North Carolina State at California Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is at 3:30 p.m. EST.
