Devon Williams grew up in Dublin, Ohio, which is only 15 miles northwest from Ohio State, so it’s no surprise the Gophers linebacker grew up a Buckeyes fan.

But now with Minnesota, his first trip to the “Horseshoe” in 2023 went poorly. He made four tackles but received a season-low grade from Pro Focus in the Gophers’ 37-3 loss at Ohio Stadium.

Needs became a must as Williams was thrust into a starting spot due to that season’s rash of linebacker injuries and transfer portal defections.

“Thinking I was ready, but I really wasn’t,” Williams recalled in July. “It’s pretty much as simple as that. … But it was a lot. You got to be strong enough. You got to be fast enough and you’ve got to have the mental stability to each and every week prepare for the next team. And at that time, I, honest

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