It always seems that the rich get richer. In Virginia Tech's case, they've added yet another backfield weapon to their talent-rich arsenal.
Manassas native Ryan Williams is ranked the No. 3 running back recruit in the country by Rivals.com and is one of the most touted signees of Virginia Tech's 2008 recruiting class.
He is coming off a senior season in which he only saw action in five games due to ankle injuries but is now back to full strength. Despite missing a good portion of the season, Williams was still able to rush for over 700 yards.
Williams' acclaim can be attributed to pure results. He rushed for over 3,000 total yards as a four-year starter at Stonewall Jackson High School and runs the 40 in 4.5 seconds.
Highlight videos of the recruit in high school show that Williams is also a very elusive type of player and has the ability to play a variety of roles on the field. He has snapped the ball a number of times and has a handful of receiving touchdowns from his time at Jackson as well.
Yet the attribute that separates Williams from other running backs his age is said to be his vision.
"It's above and beyond," said Williams' high school coach, Loren Johnson, of his former player's eyesight. "Some people have a special sense and that's his."
Williams himself is far from unspoken when it comes to talking about his strengths on the field.
"What I bring to the table is just sheer playmaking ability," said Williams. "I feel like I'm a threat as soon as I touch the ball - whether if I'm going out for a pass, running the ball, or if I do a half-back pass. I just feel like my vision and cutting along with my run-style can bring a lot to this team."
With veterans Branden Ore and Kenny Lewis, Jr. returning in the backfield and a bevy of young talent, including Darren Evans and Josh Oglesby, already waiting in the wings, one may presume that Williams would redshirt this upcoming season and have four years of eligibility heading into the 2009 season. Williams, however, wants to see action right away.
"I'd much rather play this season," said Williams.
Williams' former high school coach has become more of a companion than a teacher as of late. Williams says the relationship will remain that way for quite some time.
"He's one of my best friends," said Williams. "I can talk to him about anything. He's been a big part of my life since I was 14 years old."
Even though Johnson is an influential figure in the teenager's life, both men claim that the decision to go to Virginia Tech was solely that of Williams.
"It was one of the decisions that I backed away from, because I'm not the guy who has to walk across campus anymore," said Johnson. "Virginia Tech's coaches just did an excellent job of recruiting him."
Williams' choices ultimately came down to Virginia Tech and Boston College, though he did make a trip to Notre Dame last fall. He made his verbal commitment to Tech in early January right before starring for the East squad in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, a contest that annually showcases the best recruits in the nation.
With Ore returning for his senior season after mulling over the option of declaring for the NFL draft and Lewis coming off his most productive season yet, it is uncertain where Williams would fit into Tech's game plan for the upcoming season if he would be eligible.
"He has all the tools," said Johnson. "They just need to be brought out of him. I think that being in a different environment then he'll have no choice but to bring them out."
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Another slack job by the collegiate times. All his stats and what not are nice, but you failed to mention an important asset. Here's an example of how you could deliver it: "The 5'9" 190 lb ..... excelled in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.... YOU FORGOT TO MENTION HIS SIZE YOU JACKASS!!!
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5'10" 192 according to ESPN.com's recruit tracker. That's pretty impresive with a 4.5 40.
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If the off-field performance of VT football players remains true to form, I'm sure we'll be seeing this picture again... as a mugshot in the Richmond Times Dispatch.
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Haha you fool. We have the most disciplined players in the country and if all you can do is refer back to Michael Vick as "our players with off-field problems" then you are pathetic. You probably just watch golf all day since your football team must be so terrible that you have nothing better to do then bash other ones. We will still be one of the best teams in the country, no matter what a low-life like yourself has to say :). bye bye now.
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Umm, JA as much as I love Tech football (and basketball) there are more off the field transgressions than just Michael Vick. I wish they would start recruiting players that maybe have less talent, but more character. That or punish them when they're out of line. Branden Ore and his recent courtcase w/ the coke along with his many problems w/ the team - showing up to practice late, not working hard enough, etc. Marcus and Michael Vick - enough said. Then Macho Harris and the apt shooting, even if he had nothing to do with it, still doesn't look good. Ike Whitaker got in trouble for vandalizing or something like that in Cochrane. Also, the two players that were arrested in downtown Blacksburg a couple years ago... I think Morgan and Hyman. It's ridiculous, they go to school for free and get to do what they love. The only thing that pisses me off is that VT isn't the only one w/ these problems! Ohio St, Penn St, FSU ,Arkansas w/ Darren McFadden recently. It's not just VT, but I wish we would make more of a statement against these players. On another note, yeah Williams!! Representing Stonewall Jackson HS!
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JA - I'm an alumnus, so VT is "my team". I don't see how you can objectively state we have the most disciplined players in the country. Maybe 40 years ago that was true - when Tech was a small military college /engineering school and not a football factory. Tech players time and time again have shown themselves to have little to no discipline, both on and off the field. We're getting to be as bad as Miami.
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JA - I obviously don't know anything about this Ryan Williams. He could be a great kid. But if I were a betting man, and assuming he spends all 4 years in B'burg -- let's just say I'd take even money that he has a couple brushes with the law over the course of his college career!
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MC, while your assumption could prove to be accurate you should hope that he comes to Tech to do what he is supposed to do. He is from Manassas, which has it's good and bad (which is growing) parts so hopefully he sticks to school and football.
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Ryan Williams is a great kid! He will represent this university very very well! Book it!
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First of all, it isn't Jackson. It's Stonewall High School, if you aren't going to use the full name. And having seen this kid play live, I'll tell you what, there will probably be less room in the backfield this year or next for anyone else. Yes, I know Darren Evans and Josh Oglesby and Tony Gregory are all looking to be great players. But I'd bet that Williams is the last in line to be asked to move to a different position to really be a contributor. Oh, and nice job CT for reporting this weeks after it happened.
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Is there anyone on here that actually wants to talk about, (or knows anything about) football? Who cares that Stonewall was left off of Jackson once during the article? This is supposed to be about football but it sounds like a bunch of attention garnering children trying to get the best of one another. Enough of this kids...Give Ryan a chance, don't make judgements and keep your mouth shout about things you know very little about. You are embarassing out great school!!
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all we need to do is fire stinespring and maybe one of our running backs will gain 100 yards in five games this season...but that's not going to happen, i guess i'm happy with us losing yet another bowl game this year because of a lack of any offensive strategy whatsoever
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UMM, it's ALWAYS Stonewall JACKSON High School. The only abbreviations are SJ and SJHS! No Stonewall High School. I know, I went there.
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This kid will catch a charge within a year........Book It!
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All these people on here with the negative comments need to shut up... You don't know this kid. Give him a chance to show his character before you make assumptions about it. Everyone wants to use Vick as an example.. Mike Vick didnt get expelled from VT for dogfighting, lets keep that in mind..
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If Stinespring/Beamer would incorporate plays where we can dump the ball off to our backs on a screen-type play, then maybe we'd have a chance to stop the blitz.. until then, every team we play is going to blitz from the outside of the line and sack whoever is back there everytime.
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MC, I am so glad that Micheal Vick will be able to keep his bonus money.
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