Every once in a while a player comes to a school with a natural ability to lead.

When NIU football’s Larry Williams came to DeKalb, the Huskies got one of those players.

“I’ve got to be a leader,” Williams said. “I’ve got to be the guy to let the team know that we can do it.”

Being the captain on NIU’s feast or famine defense is no easy task. Williams has to keep his young defense focused throughout the grueling college season.

“Being young doesn’t hurt us,” Williams said. “A lot of people think they can come in and pick on us because we are young, and that’s not how it is. I tell these guys that together we can make it happen every Saturday.”

Some of Williams’ leadership skills come from high school, where he played on three Chicago city championship teams in his four years at Dunbar High School. Williams played with two other players at Dunbar who are now captains for Division I programs.

Rockey Harvey is a captain at Illinois, while fellow linebacker Scott Russell heads the Eastern Michigan Eagles.

Williams was tutored by high school coach Glen Johnson to become the leader he is today. While playing under Johnson, Williams was pushed to make his worst game better than the opponent’s best.

This strategy paid great dividends as Williams was selected First-Team All-Chicago Public League in his senior season.

When it came time for Williams to make a college decision, he initially thought about going to a small school and not playing football at all. As Williams’ stock rose, football became more and more of a reality. With the urging of NIU assistant coach Scott Shafer, Williams declined offers from the University of Illinois, Iowa and Northwestern to walk on here.

Once Williams got to DeKalb, he made his presence felt early and often.

As a redshirt freshman, Williams played in all 11 games, recording 69 total tackles, good enough for sixth on the team.

The following season, Williams was an All-MAC selection from his weak-side linebacker position.

His sophomore season produced seven double-digit tackle games and landed Williams in the top-10 in the MAC in three statistical categories.

Williams ranked third in solo tackles with 78, fifth in total tackles with 112, and 10th in tackles for loss with 13 for 31 yards.

Coming into this season, Williams was on the Butkus Award watch list for the nation’s top linebacker and made five preseason All-MAC teams.

Williams did not disappoint.

The only junior captain on this season’s team, he finished this year leading the team with 119 total tackles and 88 solo tackles.

“Larry has been a great player and a real asset to this program,” head coach Joe Novak said. “Larry is not a man of a lot of words but he is respected by the kids.”

Off the field, Williams describes himself as laid back and quiet. He enjoys the smooth sounds of R&B singer Carl Thomas to relax before games.

But, when the opening whistle sounds, Williams has a sudden change of heart.

“I totally change on the field,” Williams said. “I get crazy.”

His craziness also is symbolized by the tattoo that inhabits his biceps, a monster that Williams said represents his alter-ego.

Williams’ Jekyll and Hyde attitude also was noticed by Novak.

“On the field, Larry turns it on and is a kid that doesn’t take no for an answer,” Novak said. “I want a young man that can conduct himself on the field as well as off. Larry is a perfect gentleman.”

With one year of eligibility remaining, Williams has high hopes for his young defense as well as himself.

When asked if next year’s defense could be the best in the MAC, Williams seemed confident.

“Yes, we are only losing two starters and we have a lot of guys coming back,” he said. “We are going to be exciting.”

As far as NFL aspirations, Williams is cautious.

“I try not to think about it,” he said. “You have so many things going against you and it is so hard.”

If the NFL does not work out, Williams intends to pursue a career in business management.

No matter where Williams ends up, there’s one thing for sure: he’ll probably be at the top.