With his commitment made, Ralph Williams is shifting his priorities.
“I just felt like it was the right time to commit so I could go ahead and focus on what I need to do, to qualify,” the 6-foot-1, 220-pound linebacker/defensive end from Gulliver Prep High School in Miami said Saturday after committing to Tennessee.
Williams’ grade-point average stands at 2.47. He needs a 2.5 (and an 825 on the SAT) to be eligible to play in 2010.
“I’m going to do extra to qualify,” Williams said. “I’m going to summer school this summer and going to take night school, too.”
Williams said he knew he would commit to UT following a visit to his high school from coaches Eddie Gran and Monte Kiffin on Wednesday. Gran is UT’s primary recruiter in charge of recruiting South Florida.
“I just like the way Coach G carried on with me,” Williams said. “He told me what was what. I liked that. And I like their style of play.”
Williams is confident he’ll be eligible in 2010. He’s even more confident of his playing ability.
“My game, to me, is awesome,” said Williams, who played defensive end last season but could also play linebacker in college. “I do everything right. I make big plays for my team. I always come through.”
Williams said his strength is speed. His high school coach, Earl Sims, agrees.
“Ralph is very explosive,” Sims said. “He’s strong. He’s tough. He’s mean on the field and there’s no doubt a presence that has to be focused on or he’ll kill you all day.
“He has great get-off speed from the defensive end spot. He’s fast. He can actually play any spot on the field but he’s reckless. He’s been great for us.”
Williams, who ran a 4.58-second, laser-timed 40-yard dash during a recent Nike camp, also has scholarship offers from Florida State and Arkansas. He said it wasn’t hard to leave home when the Vols came calling.
“Oh no, that’s not a problem with me,” Williams said of leaving Florida.
UT is trusting Williams to do a lot before National Signing Day in February. Qualifying and continuing to improve his game top the list.
“I know his desire,” Sims said. “He wants it and he’ll work hard to be successful.”
Kiffin’s reputation continues to pay dividends in recruiting Florida prospects.
“It will be an honor to be coached and work under a guy like Monte Kiffin, who has brought the (Tampa Bay) Bucs enormous success,” Sims said. “His defense, of course, everybody knows about it. I think he (Williams) will fit in perfectly as one of those linebackers or, who knows, if they decide to keep him at defensive end.
“He’s a dominant presence wherever he’s going to be.”
Williams registered two sacks and a fumble recovery in Gulliver Prep’s spring game Friday. He had 16 sacks and 81 tackles last season.
UT has seven commitments for the 2010 signing class, including six defensive players and five who could play on the defensive line.
Williams joins defensive ends Jacques Smith of Ooltewah and J.C. Copeland of Troup High in LaGrange, Ga., defensive tackles Risean Broussard of LaGrange High in Lake Charles, La., and Pat Harris of Chabot College in Hayward, Calif., juco linebacker Bruce Irvin of Mount San Antonio (Calif.) and offensive guard Jose Jose of Booker T. Washington in Miami.
Freelance contributor Josh Ward contributed to this report.
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
Tennessee defeats Georgia 3-2 in…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 148
HallowedHill writes:
Our defense is going to be amazing.
appalachianvol writes:
This kid could grow into a different position.
Welcome to the big orange.
Would like to see more commits to the offense.
chaos001 writes:
what do you mean, "work on being academically eligible?" that should have already been a given.
TD_4_UT writes:
Wow, how many LB's does a team have to have. We will be known as LB U. Still, I'm glad we have some quality player's commiting. GO VOLS!!!!!!
TommyJack writes:
Reel'em in. I'm sure FL had no interest in this kid.
HallowedHill writes:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfUUEe...
chaos001 writes:
http://insider.espn.go.com/ncf/recrui...
chaos001 writes:
http://footballrecruiting.rivals.com/...
jobrando#216494 writes:
called a conditional offer by the vols
Voluvr writes:
All we need is a field goal.
Voluvr writes:
Or, a safety.
Voluvr writes:
Coach Gran is the man.
Voluvr writes:
Prediction: To get in on Kiffin's first championship run, next January, Tennessee will resign Georgia's Rodney Garner.
Why go back? Because Tennessee is not only the pathway to the NFL for players, but is a lauching pad to head coaching jobs. The move will be a step up in preparation to make a bigger step up.
Voluvr writes:
7 commits for 2010. Kiffin is laying the foundation and separating the wheat from the chaff.
GreenDevilVol writes:
Old news Gator BOY !!!! The listing you showed was from a year ago !!! MORON !!!!!
GreenDevilVol writes:
Oops Meant G.A.Y.T.O.R. B.O.Y.
GreenDevilVol writes:
Dont look now chump, but you all were after him too !!! Oh wait he wasnt good enough,right ?? You Fl F.O.O.L.S. are so full of SHIAT ,they call you Christmas turkeys at holiday time.
MiserableFloridaVol writes:
unbelievable stuff.
GreenDevilVol writes:
No, please refer to chaos reply from 12:55;I.D.I.O.T.
footballtime writes:
I just want a hitter like Wilson or Thompson...I really miss seeing that... will be fun when these guys get here and Monte can get his scheme going...I think the desire is there with these recruits,but Im curious about that meaness it takes to play LB in the SEC
GreenDevilVol writes:
For the enterlopers that can NOT READ ....here you go BOYS....
http://tennessee.rivals.com/quicklist...
utvolz#637682 writes:
He's a 3 star.
http://footballrecruiting.rivals.com/...
sameolvolalum writes:
See what you did? You let the flies in. They're not annoying while they're just flyin' around outside.
Irwin_Linker writes:
I generally hate to respond to you, and have yet to have a Florida fan respond to me. But just sit back a minute, and think about how terrible your life is. You know what you need to do.
GreenDevilVol writes:
No; you do OTIS !!!! Please count stars and get back to us. Thanks and do you still want to put $1000. on the Sept 19 2009 game in G.A.Y.N.S.V.I.L.L.E ;
I'll take that from you non start counting 60 point blow out blow hards any day of the week, and Twice on Sunday !!!!
GreenDevilVol writes:
Sometimes,sameol; you just have to let them inside a pierce off their wings a tad so they can fly in circles more than normal !!!
arkansas_vol writes:
You forgot, monday you is your special time on the goat ranch.
TommyJack writes:
GVX. Be all you can be.
TD_4_UT writes:
This is one of the reasons why I do not post as often as I used to. Rival fans who try and disrupt any kind of decent conversation between VOL fans. Even when we sign a commit. I have been waiting for VOL fans to stop responding to these lopers, without responding they would have no reason to post. As VOL fans we should be above responding to juvenile dweebs.
VolSkins writes:
Ha!
101st_AIRBORNE_VOL (Inactive) writes:
2 commitments from South Florida now?! This is starting to get good...
Get 'em Kiff!
nepperso#220348 writes:
Obviously a liar. There are no "great" Florida towns.
TD_4_UT writes:
I for one would like to see more commits on the offensive side. The offense needs a lot of help. But maybe we are seeing the draw of playing for Monty, or just the talent of Gran to recruit.
101st_AIRBORNE_VOL (Inactive) writes:
Now, now, Pensacola isn't too bad. Then again, maybe because it's a military town (Navy). Besides, most of the locals there are FSU and Auburn fans. Good athletes from there, too (Roy Jones Jr., Derrick Brooks). Notice I left out Emmitt Smith. Saw him once, he was a jerk to some little kids.
101st_AIRBORNE_VOL (Inactive) writes:
Yawn...
101st_AIRBORNE_VOL (Inactive) writes:
See everyone? That's how we should respond to the lopers.
MrKnoxville writes:
Tebow didn't go pro because the N.F.L. scouts didn't even have him in the top 7 QB's available if he left early.
Tebow ends up a tight end in the N.F.L. At least the initials of his position in the pros starts his last name....you could say he was born into it.
Cherokee writes:
Are you an idiot? No, seriously, are you?
Do you really think a major SEC program is going to recruit a "1 star" player? I'll ask again - ARE YOU AN IDIOT? Do you think the 1 star rating might be more of an "incomplete" than an actual rating? Doh!!!
vol1994 writes:
I am so sick and tired of you and your Gator fans posting comments on this site. There is only one mature gator fan that posts logical and mature posts on this site. Go away or post something that is informative.
I am sure you are 21 yr old kid without a social life but give it a break. I come to the site 3 times a week maximum and you are always posting ridiculous comments.
Grow up!!
Oh yeah, I will give it two more years before my belove vols is competitive again with Southern Cals, Ohio State, and the Tebow-Wearing Gators. Of course Urban will have his feelings hurt again by Shane Matthews, Steve Spurrier, etc. and probably won't be around then.
MrKnoxville writes:
TE_bow---TE (Tight End) in the N.F.L. book it LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
vol1994 writes:
go to your gator site!
You have no clue what you are talking about
vol1994 writes:
Yeah,me too. I don't come to the site as much either.
Of course I did post to Gator's comments which I probably should not have.
Have a good weekend!!
MrKnoxville writes:
Florida better enjoy the last year of their future N.F.L. elite tight end Tebow because no matter how good the back up is....you can't replace that type of talent (I threw up just now) but he won't be a Pro QB...the scouts weren't even given him a chance if he was to leave early with Sanchez or Stafford LOL!!!!!!!!
101st_AIRBORNE_VOL (Inactive) writes:
Very true, just saying if you're gonna do it, let 'em know short and sweet that they're boring you instead of getting a rise out of you.
ETSU_Vol writes:
and then you woke up...
old_number1 writes:
Book1, You tried to tell the vol posters. Good job. Guys, Gatorz jumped on here early and is attempting to ruin the thread. Don't let him. His rants are useless. Don't respond! Just say no.
gwbask writes:
sounds like when he makes up his mind, he really goes after it. I known this young man will be eligable. He wants it too bad. Fast and aggressive. good combo. Welcome aboard!
ctownvol writes:
How do you have time to do all that when you're on here 24/7? Talk about multi-tasking!
dbc5361 writes:
What is so special about this recruit that took the "Talent of Gran"? 3 Star player that had offers from Florida State, Arkansas and FIU???? I'm just asking.
golfballs03 writes:
Defense.. Defense..
Let's get after some OL and a QB!
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