ATLANTA -- Four score and seven years ago, Bryan Williams arrived at Georgia State.
Okay, it just seems like the fifth-year senior safety has been with the Panther football program forever.
But Williams is, in fact, the only player on the current roster of more than 100 who has been with the program since 2012. There are several other fifth-year seniors on the team, but all are transfers.
The Georgia State defense returns nine starters, and Williams looks to step into one of the vacated positions at safety as the Panthers continue preseason drills in preparation for their Sept. 2 season opener vs. Ball State at the Georgia Dome.
The Panthers are scheduled to scrimmage Saturday morning at the GSU Practice Complex. (Please note, Saturday's scrimmage is closed to the general public.)
"Bryan has seen it all since he's been here, the good and the bad, so he brings a great perspective to the other players as far as how good they have it now versus four or five years ago," defensive coordinator Jesse Minter said. "I really enjoy having him, and I'm hoping he has an opportunity to have a great fifth year for us."
After missing most of two seasons (2013 and 2014) due to a back injury, Williams was the Panthers' top backup at safety last year, part of a GSU defense that was the most improved in the FBS. He collected 22 tackles and four pass breakups, and his one interception was a big one, coming with 1:46 left at Ball State to seal the victory.
This season, he joins returning starter Bobby Baker at safety, where the Panthers graduated standout Tarris Batiste. Baker, the preseason all-conference selection, is meshing well with his new running mate.
"Bryan is very good at communicating and he has that passion for football," Baker said. "We have the type of relationship where, if I'm having a tough time with something, I can go to him and he'll help me pick it up, and vice versa."
Williams laughs at all the "old" jokes he gets and says it's a blessing to have lasted this long and to finally see the hard work pay off with last season's success.
Williams' legacy with the Georgia State program actually goes back to the inaugural team of 2010, when his older brother, Arthur "Bully" Williams, played tight end for the Panthers.
The siblings never played together, but Bryan would like to follow his older brother in another way, too. Bully, who had 25 receptions and five touchdowns in his two seasons, is now a teacher and coach in the Atlanta area, and Bryan would also like to get into coaching after he graduates in December.
Bryan says he learned a lot from his brother.
"Work ethic, No. 1. He works hard at everything he does and never complains," Williams said. "He also taught me how to watch film and pick up certain things."
Other brother duos to play for the Panthers include Jake (2010-11) and Louie (2010) Muasau, Nate (2012-15) and Jamal (2015-present) Paxton, and Cristian (2013-14) and Jayro Perez (2013-14).
