Alabama defensive tackle Quinnen Williams is stamping a future earnings statement this season as one of college football's most dominant defenders.

Williams might be an unexpected surprise to outsiders, but those who follow Alabama's program closely know No. 92 has always been on the cusp of breakout play and his poise shown this fall as a headliner for the Crimson Tide defense has shifted attention of scouts and NFL talent evaluators across the nation.

ESPN NFL Draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. says Williams is surging toward the top of his big board and could challenge Ohio State's Nick Bosa for the No. 1 overall pick in 2019.

"We thought Raekwon Davis would be the dominator (for Alabama), moving in for Da'Ron Payne and of course we had Jonathan Allen a couple years ago, but Williams is closer to Aaron Donald than I think Ed Oliver is," Kiper said during Wednesday's SportsCenter appearance. "He's a third-year sophomore. I think Oliver from Houston was expected to be that (Aaron Donald) guy, but he's not as big as Williams and of course he had the injury and doesn't have the sack production Williams already has had with five. He could have eight or nine.

"Williams has been killing double teams. He's a big effort guy. Great hand usage. He combines power with quickness. Quinnen Williams, the nose tackle for Alabama, has done a heck of a job and has really been the difference-maker up front for the Crimson Tide."

Only Kentucky's Josh Allen, an edge rusher, has more tackles-for-loss this season in the SEC than Williams (14), who has anchored the league's most productive pass rush. Williams joined The Paul Finebaum Show this week and discussed Alabama's defensive dominance this season, a unit that has posted consecutive shutouts against Top 25 competition for the first time ever.

“I feel like playing against our offense it makes us a better defense," Williams said. "Them playing against our defense makes them a better offense. I’m glad for them just being consistent in what they’re doing and just being explosive every week. I just don’t want nobody to get complacent and coach Saban don’t want anyone to get complacent because we have many games to go ahead, great competition ahead. We just gotta make sure we go back on the things we did wrong this past week and these past two weeks and make sure we correct the things that we could get better at every week.”

Williams said the Alabama defense went through some growing pains earlier in the year while certain players adjusted to starting roles and the unit figured out its communication and execution flaws. Those issues have been void recently when the Tide held LSU to 196 yards of offense and MSU to 169 yards of offense. Under the direction of Tosh Lupoi, Alabama's defense is tied for first nationally with Clemson in points allowed per game at 12.7.

Lupoi has been in Tuscaloosa, Ala., since 2015 but wasn’t promoted to defensive coordinator until February.

“Well coach Lupoi is a great defensive coordinator,” Williams said. “He brings great energy to the team just like one of the guys. He pumps us up, makes sure we’re in the right predicament to make plays. Overall calls great plays.”