Fall Camp Day Eight | Mason Williams is Ready for the Next Step
8/5/2025 9:30:00 AM | Football
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ATHENS, Ohio—After a season that included a touchdown in the Mid-American Conference Championship game and an FWAA Freshman All-American selection, redshirt sophomore tight end Mason Williams (Mogadore, Ohio) is ready to build upon an already impressive young career.Â
Despite already having a handful of accolades and an impressive career statline, Williams is only focused on the future.Â
"Those achievements are one-day to two-day things, you get them, you feel good about yourself, and then it's on to the next day," Williams said. "We have new goals this year, new expectations."
Williams returns to an equally experienced and decorated Ohio offense that is looking to put together another historic season for the Bobcats. As a group, there is no goal greater than taking home another MAC Championship.Â
Under new position coach Kyle Obly, Williams believes the tight end room will play a big role in achieving that goal.Â
"This is the tightest tight end group I've had," Williams said. "We only have one new guy coming in so we're basically all here from last year. When you win the MAC Championship together, you kind of form that bond…. I feel like anyone can talk to anyone. You have a question, you ask it, you have an answer, you answer it, there hasn't been any separation.
Williams credits the chemistry that his group has formed to Obly and the influence he's had over the group since being named tight ends coach during the offseason.Â
"He's unbelievable, that's really all I have to say," Williams said. "He's one of the smartest coaches I've ever worked with…. He has an answer for everything. And when he doesn't, he finds it. In the meeting room, he gets mad at us if we don't tell him that he's saying something wrong. If you don't call him out when he's being dumb or anything, he gets mad at you for it, because he wants us to lead that room and lead what's going on."Â
Before the start of Fall Camp on July 28, Williams sat down with Obly to discuss what his own goals would be for the 2025 season. At the top of the list is to be the All-MAC First Team Tight End.Â
On a more personal level, Williams wants the honor of being named team captain for the 2025 team. As the most game-experienced tight end on the team, Williams feels that he's already stepped into a leadership role among the tight ends.
"I felt like that in order for us to be successful, I really needed to step up into that leadership role," Williams said. "I try to be as much of a leader as I can."
Williams had the time to establish himself as a leader in the off-season while rehabbing an injury. Without the ability to participate in spring practice, Williams tried to maximize his role on the team even though he couldn't physically play on the field.Â
"Most people see (injuries) as a setback, but it's an opportunity to learn more mentally about the game," Williams said. "Obviously, you're not gonna be as physically into the game, because you're not gonna be playing, but you know, in the weight room, you have that time to still get stronger. In the meeting room, you're still learning. It kind of gives you that perspective of a coach, you sit on the sideline and watch everyone play, and see what they're seeing. So you're not fully into the game, but you still have that mental side, so you're still getting those reps."
Now fully recovered from injury, Williams is ready to add to his list of accomplishments while still in the early stages of a great career at Ohio.Â
"I'm gonna go in there and beat someone up, be the same old person I've always been," Williams said. "I'm gonna get better every day. That's the goal. That's the expectation. I'm gonna be a leader.
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