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.
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Comments » 23
DrJCrown_theMagicMan writes:
Stomp Memphooey wanna bee's
I say 44-9
Pdiddy10 writes:
lets recruit jeff luc!!!!!
i want eric berry to sart playing...he doesnt seem to be playing to his full potential. when is hee gonna get a freakin interception!?!??!
IBleedOrange444 writes:
Berry is playing great. This staff just uses him diferently. He has more tackles than anyone in the SEC that isn't a linebacker. We all want to see him get a pick 6 and break that record, but it doesn't mean that he is playing poorly just because it hasn't happened yet.
yabadabadoo1026 writes:
feller, with all due respect his interceptions are down because out of respect they pick on other DBs instead of risking interception throwing in his direction as much---------do you think perhaps the other team might not want an intereception just as much as you do want them?
SmokeyHound writes:
TYPE IN JEFF LUC ON FACEBOOK AND JOIN THE GROUP THAT SAYS JEFF LUC COME TO TENNESSEE!!! SPREAD THE WORD!
the10sevol writes:
note to brandon spikes:
look at the photo on this article. big dan shows perfect form. instead of reaching into the facemask to rip the runner's eyes out, big dan rams his fist into the runners chest and rips his heart out. perfect form, dan,
GBO
VOLoom writes:
I went to that game when Memphis upset us. I was beyond shocked.
Expat_Orange writes:
Watch the replay of the USCjr game. It's a travesty that he didn't get SEC Defensive Player of the Week. The man was all over the field. What a motor.
tnmantravel#531151 writes:
vols are a plenty banged up.....simply an opportunity for others to step forward....i have a feeling the vols are going to crush the tigers from memphis
Need_2_Know writes:
I was there too, and I still say the return guy was down!
The snow on the drive back wasn't nearly as pretty as it could have been . . .
I'm just sayin' . . .
RoadTrip writes:
Proud of you Big Dog! You are making a name for your self among the Vol greats. The younger guys are taking their cue from you.
Slystone writes:
This Memphis team is not good and Tommy West will be fishing and hunting with Fulmer at seasons end. The wife and I were at that 96 game also and that was one hard to swallow. As bad as Memphis is this year Kiffin will not let and upset happen Saturday.
wayoutwill writes:
The L.B.'s are the deepest bunch of talented young playa's we've ever had from Hawkins to Thornton,Lathers,Chris Donald,even Ben Vereen's cousin Daryl is a good looking young monster,Storey,Jessen,all these young studs are looking for playing time behind some other young studs that have won the starter spot,truthfully,a superior group of backers have not been at UT,as far as potential,anyway,a bunch of 6 ft, tall 220 pound athletes that all came out of their high schools as star running backs for the most part,the good times at UT are gonna get great as these boys start to load up and hit the other team and hit 'em hard enuff to let go of the football,soembody made the comment that Carolina would have played us closer if they had not give us the ball so many times and I never saw 'em give us anything,WE TOOK IT!GO VOLS!KICK THE PAPER TIGERS REAR ENDS!IT"S HOME_WEEK!LET THE CROWN FLOW!
wayoutwill writes:
The biggest turnaround in college football history will be the Vols and their 2009 season if they pull off the November sweep.I doubt that the craziest Vol maniac of any of us thought that we could be in a New Year's day bowl game after the Tri-fecta we went thru in the UCLA_FLORIDA_AUBURN games;then a heartbreaker at our arch nemisus(sic?)RAMA BAMA JAMA;but here we sit,poised to capture a spot in the Outback or better IF we can beat Memphis High,Kentucky Kitties,Nashville High,and a way over-rated Rebel team;I would think that we will be a touchdown or better favorite in all these games.It boggles the mind to think what might happen with four wins and a great bowl game with so many good players already looking at us thinking to themselves that this is the Vols in a bad year?I need to be at that school!GO VOLS!THE COOL_AID IS TASTING GOOD!
newtonrail writes:
Trying to talk to him is like trying to talk to Naffy. Waste of time. Referencing another post, is Josh Hawkins from Loudon still on team at LB?
rich182x writes:
Kill them and we will be ranked!!! Just kidding..
ChattMac writes:
Great effort by Dan. He's representative of this years attitude as a whole. It's like he's in on every play. He'll fall down in the middle, get up and run down the play at the sidelines. He's a monster who is always chasing the ball. Great effort and great leadership!!
Docrok writes:
Rich I agree with you, he played at a high level last year, however I think this year he is playing at an even higher level. For several reasons, the first and most obvious is the dropped weight making him faster! But there are also other things to consider, for example ED O is the best D-line coach in college football! And with teh back-ups playing so well there is no relaxing from play to play! Also I am not sure if people notice but Coach O rotates lineman at every other down or so, Keeps them fresh! In years past we just keep players playing and they wouldn't have enough juice to keep it up! So while we may see a small drop from one player to the next the intensity stays there for the entire game from every player on the line and we get great push well into the 4th. See the AL game for proof.
navarrebeachvol writes:
when Dan Williams wants an egg, he cracks open a Gamecock (hen)
jmr68ut writes:
Dan was running all over the field like a 200 pounder against S.C. He looked like an Orange and Black tornado looking to play on Sundays. You the man - Dan!!!! Go Big Orange and Black!!!
navyvolinva writes:
I just saw on Rivals. com that the 2nd best DT in the nation is looking to jump ship from SC to Tn. Here they come!!
PennVol writes:
Online? From where?
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Why in the world do chuck0303's posts keep getting flagged? He makes as much sense per post as darn near anyone on here and has not used anywhere NEAR the bad language and personal put-downs of WAY too many on here who are NOT flagged.
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