Hernando High School defenseman Devin Williams had two options growing up -- follow down a negative path or use his love for sports as an outlet to form his future. 

Devin chose the latter.

Now, in his senior year at Hernando, he's the captain and leader of the defense.

“It’s pretty cool," he said, "to do something a lot of people before me didn’t do.”

His journey to the gridiron wasn’t the easiest.

Devin is the oldest of three boys who grew up without much direction.

He said, “Growing up, my mom was a single mom was a single mom by herself with my two little brothers, I’m the oldest so I try my best to set an example for them two and I really didn’t talk to my dad that much growing up throughout my years but he tries to be there for me.”

Devin grew up watching the Alabama Crimson Tide play every Saturday and fell in love with the sport.

“As a kid watching tv, watching Alabama play, and playing around in the neighborhood, it became a natural sport to me," He continued. "I’m from Brooksville, it’s a small town and mostly people get in trouble, football keeps my grades up and I get to come here after school put in the work, and go home.” 

He’ll be the first to tell you Coach John Scargle and his staff have played a large part in shaping him into the scholar and athlete that he is today.

Coach Scargle said, “They have enough friends, they need some coaches. We push them really hard past what they think they can do, challenging them every day and Devin is the leader right there.” 

He thinks Devin will close out his Hernando High chapter as a big playmaker for the leopards this year who are entering a new district and playing teams they’ve never seen before.

He added, “One thing about Devin, even though he’s 6’2, 6’3, 290 pounds plus, he’s got great feet and a great motor. I always tell everybody that if he was 200 pounds, he’d be our starting tailback. He is pretty quick for a big guy.” 

Devin, who is already considering an offer to play at navy next fall, said there was a time when moments like this were just a dream.

“It’s a very cool experience," he said. "Most of my family members were in the services so when I got the call from coach, I was kinda excited about it. My first big Division 1 offer so I was excited.” 

Before he makes his college decision, Devin is working on bringing Hernando its first state championship title to close this chapter of his career.