On a deep and talented Ohio State defensive line, Tyleik Williams’ potential is as tantalizing as anybody’s.

He’s not a former five-star recruit like seniors Zach Harrison and Taron Vincent or sophomores J.T. Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer.

But when coaches and teammates are asked about Williams, it’s clear they believe the three-technique sophomore tackle can be special.

More: Ohio State football spring practice preview: Defensive line

He showed it last year as a freshman when he had five sacks, second on the team behind Haskell Garrett's 5.5. That Williams did it in only 114 pass rushes, according to Pro Football Focus, is even more impressive. PFF credited him with 21 pressures, a remarkable stat, especially for a first-year player.

That begs two questions: Why didn’t he play more, and what could he do this year?

The first is simple.

“I was fat,” Williams said.

He didn’t play his senior year of high school after Virginia canceled the season because of COVID-19. By his own admission, he let himself go. When the 6-3 Williams enrolled at Ohio State as a four-star prospect ranked 166th nationally by 247Sports, he weighed 360 pounds.

“I was supposed to be around 320, but COVID got the best of me,” he said.

Ohio State football: 'It's going to be scary.' Ohio State's true freshmen already making major impact

Williams was put on a nutrition plan, but endurance and fatigue remained issues throughout the season.

“It was rough,” he said. “I was always last in the drills.”

But Williams’ talent was undeniable. His burst off the ball is particularly explosive for a defensive tackle. OSU has timed Williams' 10-yard dash at 1.62 seconds.

“His 10-yard is ridiculous,” Sawyer said.

Just how fast is that? According to a 2019 NFL.com story, the average 10-yard split for a Pro Bowl edge rusher since 2003 is 1.67. Aaron Donald, regarded as the NFL’s top inside pass-rusher, had a 1.63.

“You always saw his athleticism, like tremendously athletic, one of the better athletes we have on our team,” said Ohio State coach Ryan Day. “From zero to 10 yards, he has one of our better times, and we have some really good athletes.”

For a defensive lineman, 10 yards is usually as far as they need to run. But they have to be able to do it play after play.

Williams believes he will be able to this season. He has dropped more than 40 pounds thanks to diet and work on exercise bikes.

“It was very hard because I'm big,” Williams said. “I like to eat.”

Day is happy with the transformation.

“His body's very different,” he said. “He can go for an extended period of time. … He flashed again today at practice.”

Ohio State isn’t looking for Williams to play 60 snaps per game. Defensive line coach Larry Johnson rotates his linemen, and the Buckeyes have no shortage of tackles, including Taron Vincent, Jerron Cage, Ty Hamilton, Mike Hall and Jaden McKenzie.

But Williams could be someone the Buckeyes want on the field as much as possible.

“I was always quick,” he said. “But now I think I'm starting to actually see my true potential. Last year, I was actually huge, so I couldn't show what I really could do. Now I'm at that (proper) weight.”

Ohio State’s defensive line wasn’t as dominant as it expected to be in 2021. With a new scheme and most of its players back, the Buckeyes believe it’ll live up to its promise this season.

Williams is one of those who can make that happen. Asked what impact he expects to make, he replied, “A huge impact. I believe in myself and we all believe in each other.”

Bill Rabinowitz covers Ohio State football for The Columbus Dispatch. Contact him at brabinowitz@dispatch.com or on Twitter @brdispatch.

Get more Ohio State football news by listening to our podcasts

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Tyleik Williams, Ohio State football star, sheds 40 pounds