DITR – Dolan Williams

Dolan Williams is a 6’3″, 250 pound, class of 2024 Offensive Tackle/Center for the Parkway High School Panthers in Bossier City, Louisiana. Dolan was a second team all-district and all-parish as an OT last season and helped the Panthers achieve an 8-4 record in 2022 as a Junior. Dolan uses a mixture of good footwork and brute strength to help dominate his opponents, and says his objective every single play is to protect his quarterback “no matter what”, even if it means putting himself at risk. This is the type of dedication you want to see from lineman. Dolan is always looking for ways to better his craft, and he attends camps to do so. Dolan recently attended our camp in Rayville, Louisiana, and ran a 5.25 40-yard dash, a 4.94 shuttle time, and jumped 7’3″ at the long jump. Dolan exceled in the lineman drills, such as the one-on-one drill, and his performance earned him an invitation to compete in the Gridiron Football All-American Bowl Game later this year. In 2022, Dolan recorded 21 pancakes, good for second on his team.

Dolan looks up to Quinton Nelson as a player. He admires Nelson’s skill set and his dedication to the game, and how Nelson plays at 100% on every single snap, no matter the circumstance. Dolan puts a lot into his game, as he works out often with teammates, and sometimes alone, and also participates in powerlifting, wrestling, and track & field competition in order to stay active outside of football activities. Off the field, Dolan has maintained a 3.75 GPA, something that will certainly help him when college recruiters come calling his way. So far, Dolan has one offer: Centenary College, a small school in nearby Shreveport that hasn’t fielded a football since 1941, but is reinstating the program in 2024.

I recently had the chance to interview Dolan and here’s what he had to say:

Why and at what age did you start playing football?

“I started playing football when I was 5. I was a busy body and always outside, and me being a huge kid drew some attention to coaches, so I was drawn into the game immediately.”

Have you always played your current position, or did you play a different position growing up?

“Growing up, playing through Bossier Parks, I explored my ability to be an all-around athlete by playing O-line, D-line, fullback, and tight end. Later on, I sort of solidified my spot on the offensive line by just being a really big kid.”

What sets you apart from everyone else on the field?

“What sets me apart is the effort that I put into the game and my teammates. We could argue for a week of practice, then go hit the gym and hang out with no problems. It’s a brotherhood.”

What is your favorite accomplishment so far in your football career?

“Earning second team all district OT last season really solidified my commitment to being the best.”

What is your favorite memory of playing football so far?

“My favorite memory was in my sophomore year- in the playoffs, my whole team was in the locker room 10 minutes before the game, and we all were just having fun, listening to music and getting locked in, and making sure everyone was good. That atmosphere of positive energy and intensity before a big game is one thing that I love about football.”

How do you balance athletics and academics?

“Balancing academics and athletics all depends on effort; my number one goal in anything is to always put 100% into everything that I do, and time management is another big one.”

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced on the field?

“My biggest challenge was dislocating my right elbow last offseason while wrestling, and not being able to maximize my offseason lifts. It was discouraging, to say the least, but that won’t stop me from putting in all my effort.”

What are you hoping to achieve in this upcoming season?

“I want to be the number one trench dog on my team, district, and city this season.”

What is your end goal for your football career?

“To make it big, to be one of the household names you think of when you say “who is an NFL player you look up to.”

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned playing football?

“To trust the process of the non-stop grind, or getting better even though it might not seem like it, and to push forward even when it feels like you can’t. Maintain that 100% effort always.”

How do you prepare for big games?

” I listen to music for a while, then I go and check on my teammates, and make sure we’re all good, and I’ll call my lineman and do a pep talk.”

Lastly, who is the biggest role model in your life?

“My role model has always been my Mom- she personifies 100% effort and never giving up, even when you can’t see success.”