‘I just feel like a different person’: The two sides of Westerville Central football’s Westyn Williams
Wednesday, September 9, 2026
By Michael Rich
mrichnotwealthy@gmail.com
Senior defensive tackle Westyn Williams is in his first season with Westerville Central. He is getting Division I college looks because of his atypical athletic play at the position. Photo: Kevin Rouch
To watch Westyn Williams on the football, he’s big, strong and outlandish. He sports pink hair, his favorite color, a bullring nose piercing and plays like a man possessed with a demeanor akin to the Incredible Hulk.
A 6-foot-2, 315-pound senior defensive tackle on the Westerville Central football team, Williams has the ability to both clog up the middle or run down a screen pass on the outside – a truly atypical athletic ability.
But to talk to him off the field, one would never know it’s the same guy.
“When I put on a helmet … I just feel like a different person,” the senior defensive tackle said. “I don’t really feel like myself. My personality just changes when I put on the helmet. I feel like a soldier or something.”
Williams’ shyness was further solidified because he’s playing in his first season with the Warhawks. A child of divorced parents, he moved to central Ohio to live with his mother after previously playing at Elyria Catholic, a Division III program in Lorain County.
“My initial reaction when somebody tries to talk to me is I’m just nervous,” Williams said. “It’s kind of hard to break that ice.”
He hopes that playing at a bigger school will make it easier to get noticed by Division I FBS collegiate coaches. He’s already been in contact with Louisville among others.
Westerville Central head coach Josh Franke (right) is in his third year guiding the Warhawks. They are 2-1 going into their game at Dublin Jerome this Friday. Photo: Kevin Rouch
“(Williams) just showed up out of nowhere with pink hair,” said Central coach Josh Franke, who is in his third season. “I think he’s a potential Division I nose tackle. He’s having a monster year. Nobody (here) knew about him and now he’s probably our best player on defense.”
That’s saying something for a stingy defense that’s allowed 14 points through three games, including a pair of shutouts to open the season.
The Warhawks are 2-1 overall heading into their non-league game at Dublin Jerome on Sept. 11.
Senior linebacker Braiden Warden has 25 total tackles, senior linebacker Braydon Thoma has 20. Warden and junior defensive lineman Trayvon Malone lead the team with four tackles-for-loss with three of Malone’s coming on quarterback sacks, also a team-high. Senior cornerback Devin Smith and junior safety Julian Bradley each have an interception and senior safety Cam Huebner has forced a fumble and recovered one.
When Williams, who has six tackles, including one tackle-for-loss, joined Central last spring, he kept to himself. His shyness made it difficult for him to make friends.
So, when he was approached by teammates and fellow defensive linemen in seniors Sheku Jumu Jr. and Dominic Ortega and sophomore Justin Thompson, it meant the world.
“When I first came here, I wasn’t really talking to anyone. I was just there,” Williams said. “And they just came up and talked to me. It wasn’t awkward or anything. The conversation just flowed.”
Senior defensive linemean Trayvon Malone (26) leads the Warhawks in tackles-for-loss and quarterback sacks. Photo: Kevin Lam
There’s no shyness on the field though for Williams. The process of going from Bruce Banner to the Incredible Hulk starts as soon as the final bell rings at school.
“He’s a unique kid,” Franke said. “He’s a really laid-back dude and easy to get along with. But when he gets out there Friday night, turns the switch and becomes a different type of monster defensive tackle. He’s throwing people around making tackles in the backfield. You would never guess that from his personality.”
Williams goes through preliminary stretches and then gets taped up by the trainers. Then he’ll board the bus if it’s a road trip.
When he arrives, he likes to walk the field to get a sense of everything. And finally, he goes through pregame instructions and warmups with teammates.
Williams is an anime fan, so he listens to the original soundtracks from some of his favorites.
“I feel the change in the 10- or 20-minutes when we go back inside (after stretches) before the game,” Williams said.
The Warhawks opened the season with victories over Marion-Franklin and Westerville South before falling to Westerville North 14-6 on Sept. 4.
The win over the Wildcats was the program’s first since 2018, which was also the last time they “Ruled the Ville.” The Warriors have won the last four meetings between the two.
Sophomore quarterback Nathan Miller III has completed 30 of 60 passes for 325 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.
Miller’s top target is wide receiver Nikko Bogetich, who has 11 catches for 106 yards and two scores. Senior running back Kevinking Fokuo has 36 carries for 132 yards.
“We’re really young,” Franke said. “I think we’re extremely close (to breaking through). The kids are buying in and they’re playing well. They want to take that next step (after making the playoffs last season). It’s just about getting the job done.”
Sophomore quarterback Nathan Miller III runs the offense for Westerville Central. The Warhawks beat rival Westerville South this season for the first time since 2018. Photo: Kevin Lam
Related Photo Gallery:
Westerville Central at Westerville South football (August 28, 2026)