“I thought R.J., first of all, played very competitively,” Dantonio said.

“He was able to play through that fast-paced offense. (I) think he’s grown as a player. … We knew he’d be a great football player based on his freshman year. … So R.J. will begin this week. Best player will start at the end of the week.”

It will be the first start of Williamson’s career, something he said he’s now ready for because of the experience he’s gained this season, particularly last weekend.

“Game experience always gets you ready for the next step,” Williamson said.

“That was a good game for me, a good game for this ball club. Being down 17-0 and showing we could get through the storm and fight back. … It was a productive game, but at the same time there were a lot of things that I need to work on that I could have done better.”

The rise up the depth chart wasn’t surprising to junior safety Isaiah Lewis, who will start alongside Williamson on Saturday.

Lewis said he has no fear playing with Williamson because the redshirt freshman has shown in practice that he’s ready for this opportunity.

“I’ve been knowing he was ready,” Lewis said. “I was never worried about him stepping up and playing at that spot. He’s always been a guy that’d go out there and make plays.”

Yet as ready as he is, Williamson said there are limitations to how prepared a player can be.
Ultimately, he said his biggest lessons will come from continuing to learn in game action.

“I’m just focused on doing what I need to do to compete and help this team get to the next level,” Williamson said. “I’m preparing for anything, for the best, I guess.”