Tennessee football coach Lane Kiffin told Toney Williams what he was hoping to hear.
Williams, a 6-foot-1, 229-pound running back from Milton High School in Alpharetta, Ga., was visited by Kiffin and wide receivers coach Latrell Scott on Thursday.
Williams entered the meeting hoping to hear he’ll have a chance to play tailback, not fullback, at UT.
“He said I’m playing tailback,” Williams said. “That’s what I’m coming in for.
“That means a lot. That’s basically the main factor in my decision if I’m going to Tennessee or not.”
Williams still isn’t 100 percent sure if he’ll go to UT.
“I’d say 95 (percent),” he said.
That’s because Williams still has an official visit to Kentucky on Friday.
Williams said he’ll know for sure if he wants to stick with his commitment to UT after he visits Kentucky.
“I already know about (Kentucky) and I talk to them a lot,” Williams said, “so I already know what they want to do with me. I’m just going to have a good time and see if I enjoy it.”
Williams said he believes he would enjoy playing for Kiffin at UT.
Williams said he’s impressed with Kiffin’s honesty and demanding attitude.
“He doesn’t care how many stars you had or who started last year,” Williams said. “He’s going to play the best people to win.”
Kiffin also plays running backs with different styles.
Williams said Kiffin talked about his time at Southern Cal and the way he used LenDale White, who relies on a power running style.
“That just gives a back like me hope,” said Williams, who plans to enroll in college in January. “That’s all I can ask for is hope and a little chance and he’s giving it to me.
“I want to earn my way on the field. I know with Coach Kiffin I’ll have to earn my way.”
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Comments » 98
ssmith82#219353 writes:
True he used White with Bush very effectly. Come on up to Knoxville and earn that playing time.
Volunatic writes:
Come on up to Knoxville. I love watching a power running back wearing Big Orange!
Volumni writes:
If not, He can play strong tailback on defense, or front tailback in the I formation.
smashmouth98 writes:
pound the rock!!!
Volnbama writes:
He dosen't care how many stars u have/had, or if you started last year?!!
That's what i'm SCREAMIN!!
Sorry Austin Rogers. Congratulations Brandon Warren.
volroadwarrior writes:
I like your humor. It is almost as good as having your dad report to the janitor to get around the nepotism rule.
Vol_in_Mich writes:
That there's funny, I don't care who you are.
I hope he can catch the ball out of the backfield too. Can't have too many good receivers in this offense.
Go VOLS!!!
alwaysorange81 writes:
dude...dude stop it...im cryin over here. "strong tailback" hilarious.
NoogaVol55 writes:
I liked the article until he said he was taking a visit to Kentucky...right then, Kiffin should have handed him a tape of this years film and said, "Son, Phil beat them pretty good...wait till I drop 50 on them next year..."
SignalMtnVol writes:
I, for one, will be more than happy to see a tailback wearing orange hit the hole wide open, and run people over. I think that's something we've been missing since Travis Henry. Foster was built like that, but for some reason saw himself as a "finesse" runner. Biggest waste of a 220 lb tailback I've ever seen.
smokyredbone writes:
Is that you Phil?
asand211#361548 writes:
Initially, I was pushing for Butch Davis and really did not know that much about Kiffin. The more I learn about him the more impressed I am. I think Hamilton made the right choice.
Vol_in_Mich writes:
“I already know about (Kentucky) and I talk to them a lot,” Williams said, “so I already know what they want to do with me. I’m just going to have a good time and see if I enjoy it.”
I don't think the kid's really interested in KY anymore, just has the trip booked & going to party.
Would you want to play for KY or for a NFL heavy staff at UT that's going to get a lot of national exposure.
Think I'm going to like this Kiffin guy (all of them)
Go VOLS!!! (from a former E.R. Pioneer)
smokyredbone writes:
i can't spell smokey! I think middle tailbacker would be a nice place for him aka Al Wilson.
Vol_in_Mich writes:
"Would you want to play for KY or for a NFL heavy staff at UT that's going to get a lot of national exposure."
I forgot to add ..... and win a lot of CHAMPIONSHIPS!
Go VOLS!!!
NoogaVol55 writes:
I agree...
Go Vols!!! (from a former Red Bank Lion)
jobrando#216494 writes:
Kind of slow for tailback. Hope he can get lighter and faster.
NoogaVol55 writes:
Go to volquest.com and look at our committed recruits on the main page and watch the video on this kid
this kid looks like john henderson at tailback...what a beast
jobrando#216494 writes:
I think he is a dual and not a pro style. He will go to a spread school
kilovol writes:
Strong tailback on defense? Thats interesting, I've never heard of that position.
shoalcreekvol writes:
Don't go to Kentucky man. Regardless of what they tell you, they'll play you at QB, WR and have you coaching the tight ends. Just ask Randall Cobb, the first college football player to earn 7 football letters in a single season.
shoalcreekvol writes:
Ladies and gentlemen I present to you...Post of the Year!
kilovol writes:
Gerald Riggs Jr.?
ctownvol writes:
C'mon in Toney. The water is fine.
shoalcreekvol writes:
I heard the real story of why the nepotism rules were created in the first place:
Apparently in 1999 Phil tried to get Cortney paid $1.1M to carry the headset cables. Even hired Jimmy Sexton to represent her. Unfortunately UT would've had to eliminate 27 football-related administrative positions, so they created the nepotism rules to have an excuse to say no.
This comes from a very reliable source. You can trust him b/c he ws dressed in a giant bluetick hound costume when he told me. Anyone wearing pom-pom pants HAS to be reliable.
shoalcreekvol writes:
Nice.
NoogaVol55 writes:
Haha...no but I played ball with him.
jsmithnga#207674 writes:
He is definitely a power runner and the real deal; according to an opposing coach I know, he does have the talent; not so fast but very powerful. He scored so many tds this year that I have lost count and he threw for 1 td.
By the way, he seems to have good character.
VolinCalif writes:
Thats because you probley played the Double Wing Formation
BreweryVol writes:
What is his 40 time? How do
you know he is slow? Did you
see him play HS football?
givehim6 writes:
Me too, now Kiffin needs to find a good O line coach that can teach our guy to make those holes.
BreweryVol writes:
Did he commit to Auburn b/c
of the spread offense? Or is
this guy the pure pocket passer that CLK would like?
jsmithnga#207674 writes:
He probably thinks he is slow because he is usually running with 2-4 hanging on to him; that tends to slow you a little.
orangeinbama writes:
I think we have seen the days of recruiting "athletes" to play cornerback & wide receiver, and FB's to play linebacker coming to an end. If a kid is a good high school LB then he is a linebacker at UT. Not saying moving kids around position wise wont happen, but I think CLK is actually gonna recruit position players. I will feel better when I get on GVX and hear and see some big stud DT's that are committed. On another note, I wonder how long Britton Colquitt stay will be. I hope he has learned his lesson. IMO, CLK will not tolerate another sidewalk joy ride.....I am just guessing that he is another of the players that CLK had in mind when he drew the chalk line.........
BreweryVol writes:
Who is 2-4?
BreweryVol writes:
How do you feel about Bryce
Petty? He is 6'3 200 lbs and
runs a 4.6 40. I believe he is still committed to us.
TxFatBoy writes:
Good Character??? Guess that means no arrest warrants for Strong Armed Robbery!
BreweryVol writes:
Sounds like Williams could be our Thunder to Hardesty's
Lightening.
PumpUptheVOLume writes:
I live in Atlanta and I watch highlights on him nearly every Fri. He makes A. Foster a forgotten name for backs with his size. And please believe in a dimension called "football speed". This kid is big, strong and fast. He'll be a great option for the offense. I know the college game is faster, but his gears change 5 time faster than Foster's.
Go Vols
jsmithnga#207674 writes:
Didn't realize the need to explain everything; 2-4 defenders trying to bring him down because that is how many it takes or maybe I could draw a picture.
Madkels writes:
Don't worry about UK. My connections at Milton say it's 100%. He'll graduate in two weeks and be in Knoxville in Jan. They tell me he is an outstanding young man with good grades and manners. Kiffin won't have to worry about off-field issues with Toney. Welcome to Tennessee!!
pdhuff#552644 writes:
A 4.23 TB couldn't run behind this years O-line if Kiffin doesn't shake and bake their a##!
Have a feeling we may not be in the bottom 20 of the NCAA offensive stats adder next season.
# of skip-passes may be down somewhat, too.
BreweryVol writes:
Nothing wrong with explaining
some things, but no need to
get demeaning about it.
utvolnatl writes:
I have watched this kid for the last 3 years as my son attends the same High School. We would be fortunate to have a great running back and a good character person as well. I have coached for four years with the guy who coached Toney from 6th grade. He is a beast!
jsmithnga#207674 writes:
Demeaning is he can run with defenders hanging on his back and he has scored numerous times like that.
BreweryVol writes:
belittling
condensending
BreweryVol writes:
Thank you! That is what I want to hear. You are proving that CLK knows what he is doing when it comes to
recruiting. CLK knows that this guy will be a great compliment to Hardesty and Creer.
utvolnatl writes:
Agreed BV. I have not seen any updates on the Taj Boyd issue. I trust CLK already, I just wish we knew his backup plan (which I am sure he had before he told Taj what he did).
utvolnatl writes:
Also, the kid from Centennial HS is in our 5A Region here and he is also a major beast at DE or DT
BreweryVol writes:
Has anyone heard about J Stokes? We really need some
receivers next year....well
one that will hopefully be
able to catch the football.
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