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Meet @ThaMonstar

By BJ Bennett
SouthernPigskin.com
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Alabama defensive lineman Jesse Williams bench presses 600 pounds.

Considering Alabama had four defensive players selected in the first 35 picks of the 2012 NFL Draft, you may not have entered the summer familiar with Crimson Tide lineman Jesse Williams. The senior had 24 tackles and four tackles for loss last year, his debut season after a stint at Western Arizona Community College. He was a key cog along a front line that led the nation, allowing just 72 yards rushing per game. Despite his success, the All-American roll call on Alabama's defense allowed Williams to go somewhat unnoticed.

If you didn't know who Australian-native was, you most certainly do now.

Williams sent the internet into disbelief recently when a photo (above) emerged on his twitter account, @ThaMonstar, of him bench-pressing a record 600 pounds. Squint, and you can see the full silhouette of the 18-wheeler of which Williams firmly holding up the front axle. For point of reference, such a feat in the late 1960s would have earned the Alabama defensive lineman much more than media acclaim; rather a world record instead.

Even at 6'4'', 320 pounds, the former Hawaii-signee is a remarkable athlete. In addition to his brute strength, Williams grew up down under developing agility by playing basketball and rugby. He didn't start playing football until he was 15 years old. Williams now enters this fall as one of the stars on a defense that will again be one of the nation's best. Alabama opens the season with Michigan, who ranked in the top 15 nationally with over 221 rushing yards per game.

No longer one of the Crimson Tide's best kept secrets, Williams is currently one of the most talked about athletes in all of college football.

"Sorry for blowing up Twitter today mates," he tweeted on Thursday with the hashtag #gotoutofhand.

In his last weight room effort, Williams did much more than set the bar. He literally filled it to the absolute max.

BJ Bennett - Bennett developed the Southern Pigskin concept as a teenager. He has worked for over a decade in sports journalism, writing for major newspapers and hosting a radio show for The Fan Sports Radio 103.7, ESPN Radio Coastal Georgia. Bennett has been published in newspapers, magazines, journals and websites all across the southeast. Down Here, Bennett's original book on southern college football, is currently in the process of being published.