Wes Williams has found a new home at middle linebacker.

The redshirt junior started the season as an end for Miami University’s football team, but he’s been mostly a linebacker the last two games.

“It was a little rough at first, but I feel like I’m adjusting pretty well,” said Williams, a native of Houston, Texas. “Wherever they want me, I’ll play.”

RedHawks coach Don Treadwell said Williams provides a bigger presence in the middle with his 6-foot-3, 242-pound frame. He replaced senior Jaytee Swanson (6-2, 212).

“Wes is so athletic, it’s not like you’re bringing in a D-lineman to play linebacker,” Treadwell said. “When you’ve got some teams that are more inside running, why would you not want to take a look at a guy who’s pretty stout in there and is going to give some of those pulling guards and different people a little bit more for their money than maybe a guy who’s 220, 215?”

Williams isn’t locked into the linebacker position. Indeed, two weeks ago against Ohio, he was moved back to end when the Bobcats faced throwing downs, and Williams got the game-ending sack that preserved MU’s 23-20 victory.

“We can kind of mix it up,” he said. “Obviously, they’re two different positions. I guess the biggest thing is learning to read offenses and offensive lines more than focusing on one person at end.”

Miami defensive line coach Nick Siatras has had a trying season. The D-line was supposed to be the RedHawks’ strength with Jason Semmes and Williams at the end positions, and Austin Brown and Mike Johns as the tackles.

But Brown has missed most of the season with a back injury, Johns is also hurt and on the sideline, and Williams is now a linebacker.

“I’ve got to move guys around a little bit, put them in good situations to help the team,” Siatras said. “Right now, we’re at where we’re at. They’re fighting their butts off, and they’re getting better. I’m playing a lot of young guys, so that can only be better for the future.”

The current starters on the D-line are senior ends Semmes and Luke Kelly, junior tackle Mwanza Wamulumba and freshman tackle Wesley Scott. Freshmen Mitch Winters and David DeLeon are rotating in at tackle, and freshman Bryson Albright is seeing action at end.

“The injuries have forced other guys to be leaders,” Siatras said. “Jason Semmes has kind of taken that role, especially since Mike went down, to keep this group going. The unique thing is that the young guys don’t know any better. They’re fresh off the boat and not thinking about much other than they get to play a lot of football.”

Kelly (6-4, 212) has played a lot in his Miami career.

“People might question his size,” Siatras said. “What people don’t realize is that Luke’s one of the strongest guys on this team. I have no reservations with Luke.”

MU has struggled against the run all season, allowing 231.6 yards per game. Today, the RedHawks will face a Kent State rushing attack that has a bruiser (Trayion Durham) and a speedster (Dri Archer) — the Golden Flashes are running for 217.6 yards per contest.

“I’ve been in there watching a lot of film on them,” Williams said. “I’ll probably be seeing Durham right in the holes. I feel comfortable with the defensive plan. We should be able to do some damage.”

Siatras said Williams has the athleticism to battle Archer on the edge and the physicality to face off with Durham in the middle.

“You pick your poison,” Siatras said. “We’re going to put all of them in a position to defend both of them where we don’t have to adjust too much. At the end of the day, the less they have on their plate, the faster they play.”