Williams Week

It’s a Williams week for Tennessee recruiting.

Two UT prospects named Williams plan to make their collegiate intentions known before Christmas.

The Vol commitment watch is on for Dan Williams, a lineman from Memphis East High School.

The 6-foot-3, 285-pounder is expected to commit to UT by Wednesday. He is considering Auburn where he visited last weekend.

"The plus for Auburn is they’re undefeated this year," Williams said. "The recruiting coordinator is the defensive line coach and he said I could play my freshman year. He said they are losing defensive linemen and I could probably come in and be able to play."

Even though Williams seems enamored with Auburn’s special season, his heart looks bright orange.

"That’s my childhood team," said the News Sentinel’s eight highest rated prospect in Tennessee. "I grew up rooting for them. Since I was a little kid, that’s the kind of place I wanted to go. It (childhood fandom) probably will play an important role in my decision.

"That’s the home state team. I grew up loving them. My leader right now is Tennessee."

Williams, who has willingly offered UT hints as to his college destination, is a close friend and high school teammate of UT commitment Malcolm Rawls.

"It’s a huge possibility that we’re going to the same school," Williams said. "He’s like my brother on and off the field. Most likely we will (go to the same school).

Derrick Williams from Greenbelt, Maryland, will also make his highly anticipated announcement this week. Derrick, a wide receiver, is considering UT, Oklahoma, Texas, Penn State, and Florida.

The Sooners appear to have a slight lead but Derrick has offered no suggestions as to where he might end up. The 6-foot, 190-pounder is widely considered one of the top-five prospects in the nation. Tennessee, however, may be the safe choice for a prospect that has seen first-hand what a bad recruiting decision can do to a college career.
Derrick’s brother, Dominique, was recruited by Tennessee before choosing North Carolina over the Vols.

"Once he committed, he went to North Carolina," Derrick said. "(Former UNC head coach) Mack Brown left. He said he should have gone to Tennessee."

Florida may be an emerging dark-horse candidate for Derrick. The Gators were the likely leader for the Eleanor Roosevelt High School star until Gator head coach Ron Zook was fired.

Now, Florida head coach Urban Meyer has worked hard to woo Derrick, who will enroll in college in January. Derrick is scheduled to announce his decision at 3:30 Wednesday afternoon on ESPN News.