New York Jets defensive tackle Quinnen Williams is looking forward to playing against the Seattle Seahawks and “a freak that everybody knows, one of my good friends” D.K. Metcalf on Sunday.

The defensive tackle and the wide receiver met at the “dope” Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Classic when Williams was a Wenonah High School star and became better acquainted during the run-up to the 2019 NFL Draft, when Williams was the No. 3 pick and Metcalf went in the second round.

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In between, Williams became an All-American at Alabama while Metcalf played at SEC West rival Ole Miss.

During his press conference for the Jets’ Week 17 game, Williams was asked if he’d played against Metcalf and current New York wide receiver Elijah Moore when they were teammates at Ole Miss.

“And A.J. Brown,” Williams said, reminding reporters of another current NFL wide receiver on the Rebels with those two. “It was super-fun, man. I think we ended up beating them something like 62-7, I think. I went to Bama, so Bama don’t play, especially that year.

“I think either A.J. Brown or D.J. Metcalf had a touchdown on the first play, and after that it was like: We Bama. … Can’t nobody really compare to Bama but Clemson.”

Metcalf and quarterback Jordan Ta’amu connected on a 75-yard touchdown pass on the game’s first snap before Tua Tagovailoa and Jalen Hurts threw two TD passes apiece and three current NFL running backs – Damien Harris, Najee Harris and Josh Jacobs – ran for one touchdown each for the Crimson Tide.

Alabama won the SEC championship and its first 14 games in 2018 before falling to Clemson 44-16 in the CFP championship contest.

Williams and the Jets remain in championship contention in the NFL even though a four-game losing streak has dropped New York’s record to 7-8. But that hasn’t eliminated the Jets from the playoff race as they seek their first postseason berth since the 2010 campaign.

New York has one path to the AFC’s remaining unclaimed wild-card spot and an end to the NFL’s longest active playoff drought. New York must beat Seattle on Sunday and the Miami Dolphins on Jan. 8 while the New England Patriots lose at least one of their remaining games. The Patriots play the Dolphins on Sunday and the Buffalo Bills on Jan. 8.

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“Just to play another football game in general is super-meaningful,” Williams said when asked about the impact of Sunday’s game. “I try to attack week in and week out no matter what. The objective is ahead no matter what team is ahead. Just try to do the best I can and be grateful for each and every day in the NFL because it is a privilege to be in the NFL itself.”

Williams enters Sunday’s contest with two new accolades. For the first time, Williams has been selected for the AFC Pro Bowl team, and he’s been chosen as the Jets’ Most Valuable Player for the 2022 season by his teammates.

Williams credited his Pro Bowl honor to his defensive teammates.

“Having a group of guys like that next to you week in and week out is an amazing thing to have,” Williams said.

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In 2022, Williams has 49 tackles, 12 sacks, 12 tackles for loss, 33 quarterback hits, four pass breakups, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.

“I never look at myself as the MVP or this or that,” Williams said. “I try to go out there and do the best of my ability each and every down. Just do what I can do to help this team win, the defense win. For the guys to vote me MVP is an amazing thing, because I voted for Quincy Williams, I voted for C.J. (Mosley), I voted for John Franklin-Myers, so it’s not just me on that field, and to see the guys honoring me in this position, it’s an amazing award to get.”

The Jets and Seahawks square off at 3:05 p.m. CST Sunday at Lumen Field in Seattle.

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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.