The consensus among proponents of the 3-4 defense is that the most key component of the scheme is the nose tackle. The Chargers have a great one, and Jamal Williams is a big reason why the Bolts’ defense has had so much success in recent years.



In 2007, Williams was named to the Pro Bowl for a third-consecutive season after anchoring a defense that helped the Chargers win their third AFC West title in the last four years.



Williams has been a warrior throughout his career. Last fall, he had an arthroscopic procedure done on both of his knees during the team’s bye week. He missed just one game following the operations and was back on the field. Williams also battled through a high ankle sprain during the playoffs that would have kept most players out of action. Instead, he was right in the mix helping the Chargers advance to the AFC Championship Game.



In seven of Williams’ 11 seasons in San Diego, the Chargers have ranked in the league’s Top 10 in rushing defense, including league-leading seasons in 1998 and 2005. Only twice during his Chargers’ tenure has the unit ranked below 11th in the league’s final rankings.



Williams is widely regarded as one of the most physically imposing defensive tackles in the NFL. It’s natural, considering he comes from a family in which he was the second oldest of seven boys all raised by his mother, Harriet, a single parent. She is now retired, but spent years working as a correctional officer at a juvenile facility in Louisville, Kentucky. Jamal’s younger brother, Kwesi, played cornerback at MoreheadState and had a free agent tryout with the Chargers in 2006.