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MISSION VIEJO — Jaden Williams’ pregame meals seem sufficient for a 6-foot-4, 255-pound senior who spends his Friday nights chasing quarterbacks.
The Mission Viejo defensive end will “wolf down” a chicken bowl with the fixings, two tortillas and a bag of chips.
But make no mistake, Williams remains far from satisfied about what happens on the football field.
Williams leads California in sacks this season with 20 but one won’t detect the lofty status when learning about his football journey. From team and personal goals, the San Diego State commit remains ravenous for improvement and proving skeptics wrong.
“I want to be the best version of myself on and off the field,” he said this week before practice.
Williams’ latest challenge arrives Friday in an Alpha League opener at San Clemente.
The Tritons (4-3), ranked ninth in Orange County, were the last school to beat the No. 2 Diablos (7-0), who have since reeled off 15 consecutive victories.
Last October, San Clemente topped Mission Viejo 20-10 en route to the South Coast League title and a trip to the CIF-SS Division 1 playoffs.
“We want our revenge,” said Williams, whose team went onto to claim Division 2 and state championships. “It was a hard game to lose last year. One hundred percent. We’re going to go in … play a clean game. We’re going to win. That’s truly our goal.”
For Williams, his game continues to evolve at an eye-popping rate.
His tally of 20 sacks ranks third in the nation, according to MaxPreps. He has already eclipsed his 13-game total of 18.5 sacks last season.
Williams said surpassing his ’23 output has been a source of motivation. The goal, he said, drove him to develop more strength in the offseason and sharpen his technique with Mission Viejo assistant coach Charles Wright.
Wright, a former Beckman defensive lineman who played at Vanderbilt, specializes in training defensive linemen.
“I give credit to Coach Dub (Wright) and Coach (Chase) Moline,” Williams said. “(Wright) will go over film. He’ll break all the tiny, little details down and it just helps me see what I’m doing wrong, what I’m doing right.”
Williams leads the Diablos with 62 total tackles, including a staggering 32 for loss. He’s been named to the MaxPreps’ watchlist for national player of the year.
Mission Viejo defensive coordinator Ryan Koh traces the improved production to a mutual decision to allow Williams the freedom this season to shift to different spots along the defensive front.
Williams has the ability, the coach said, to line up at left or right defensive end, or at one of the interior spots.
“In our defense, there are times he’s never in a four-point (stance). Sometimes he’s just walking around (before the snap) and then he’ll go where ever he wants,” said Koh, whose defensive line also includes Jayden Hill, Kane Nolte and Carter Wegis.
“Having him move,” the coach added, “does put a stress on an offense.”
That pressure, Koh said, has created opportunities for teammates. Hill, who also plays defensive end, delivered three sacks in a 49-14 win against Long Beach Poly on Oct. 4 at SoFi Stadium.
Koh said the interior play of Nolte and Wegis has helped Williams succeed.
“They’re all best friends,” Koh said of the defensive line. “They’re not worried about stats. They’re just like ‘We got to get the job done.’ “
Williams grew up with two older brothers who were linemen at Tesoro. James played defensive end and went onto Cal Poly SLO. Justin was an offensive lineman at UCLA.
But when it came to picking his high school, Williams surprised some by opting for Santa Margarita. “I kind of wanted to make my own name,” he said.
Williams played his freshman year for the Eagles and then left for Mission Viejo. He said the departure of defensive line coach Joshua Walker factored in his decision to leave Santa Margarita.
Williams said his transition from the Trinity League school, along with his college recruitment, provide additional personal drive. While he has landed offers from San Diego State and Boise State, he feels a bit under-recruited.
But the most fire surfaces when Williams discusses team objectives.
“Our goal is to win the big (CIF) championship against Mater Dei or (St. John) Bosco or whoever we’re playing,” he said. “And I believe we have the talent and the skill to get there as long as we stay disciplined, put our head down and just work.”
