Williams weighs in on big success

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Dan Williams, center, tackles Georgia's Washaun Ealey on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009 at Neyland Stadium.

Dan Williams' recent ascension into one of the top defensive tackles in the SEC had him and the media reminiscing about his, well, bigger days.

The stocky Tennessee senior was once a lot stockier. Williams said he weighs about 320 pounds after tipping the scales at more than 340 when coach Lane Kiffin was hired in December. That paled in comparison to previous years, when the 6-foot-3 Memphis native weighed over 360.

"I do joke about it," the defensive tackle said with a smile Tuesday. "When I think about it 'Man, I was that big?' I look at pictures and I don't look that big. I looked kind of slim. Everybody will tell you 'You carried it well.' ''

Now there are fluctuations. The bye week carried some temptations. But Williams is determined to never be 360 again.

"I'm glad it's gone and I definitely don't want it back," he said of the excess weight.

Surprisingly nimble at any weight, Williams is now quicker than ever.

That athleticism has helped Williams to 39 tackles, three for a loss, a sack, nine quarterback hurries and a forced fumble this season.

Subsequently, Williams has garnered universal respect from his teammates. Kiffin said Saturday that Williams was the key to UT's recent defensive improvement.

Offensive guard Cory Sullins sees Williams in practice every day. Sullins also has faced off against some of the SEC's best interior defensive linemen.

"I definitely believe he is probably the best defensive tackle in the SEC as far as everybody we've blocked," Sullins said. "A lot of people would probably say (Alabama's) Terrence Cody but they just have different styles of games. Dan is almost unblockable."

Cody's style is to clog the middle. Williams' style is to be disruptive.

"He's really quick and really fast for how big he is and he's exceptionally strong," Sullins said. "Knows how to play the game, very smart, plays with leverage. Just all around what you would want at defensive tackle."

This is a special week for Williams as the Vols play host to his hometown team: the Memphis Tigers. Williams will be facing off against former UT player Malcolm Rawls. Williams and Rawls signed with UT in 2005 before Rawls transferred to Memphis.

"This will be the first time he and I ever played against each other in anything," said Williams, who said Rawls is like a brother.

Memphis Memory: Sullins, who is from Cottonwood, certainly remembers when Memphis upset UT in 1996.

"I can remember watching it on TV when I was a kid," Sullins said. "I can remember a shocking feeling."

Sullins isn't expecting a repeat letdown this week.

"It's an important game and we're not going to overlook it," he said.

Roll Call: Defensive end Gerald Williams did not practice Tuesday and had a protective boot on his left foot. Defensive tackle Marlon Walls didn't practice with a boot on his right foot.

Kiffin said he's not sure if punter Chad Cunningham will handle placekicking duties against Memphis. Kiffin said regular placekicker Daniel Lincoln (quad) was not cleared to kick Tuesday.