USC defensive lineman Leonard Williams raising profile with big plays

Leonard Williams is starting to step up.

USC’s defensive lineman was a preseason All-American and he appears on track to be selected high in the NFL draft.

But Williams might have raised his profile even higher with his performance Saturday night in USC’s 28-26 victory over Arizona.

Williams made eight tackles, including one with a huge hit that caused a fumble inside the seven-yard line, and also a game-saving stop on a two-point conversion attempt.

Williams said he was extra motivated.

“I haven’t been playing to the best of my ability the last few games,” he said after the game. “I’ve kind of been just skating by.

“My coaches expect more out of me and I expect more out of myself. So I’ve been letting that drive me. I want to lead the defense and that showed up in the game.”

Williams separated the ball from Arizona running back Terris Jones-Grigsby in the second quarter.

Linebacker Su’a Cravens described it as “ginormous” stop.

“I haven’t seen someone hit that hard in a long time,” Cravens said. “Leonard’s a monster.”

After USC was penalized for pass interference on a potential game-tying two-point conversion attempt, Arizona Coach Rich Rodriguez called a running play up the middle.

Williams wrapped up running back Jared Baker to preserve the lead.

“I didn’t even have a full grip on him, but I knew my defense was going to come and help me finish the play,” he said.

Williams also was in the game for Arizona’s final-seconds field-goal attempt that failed.

“I didn’t even want to turn around, to be honest,” he said. “I saw my sideline cheering and I was like, ‘Ahhh!’ It was crazy. I was so nervous.”