Collegiate Times

Running back Ryan Williams races past defensive end Steven Friday during practice on Saturday afternoon. Williams, who redshirted last season, is likely to see his share of playing time in a backup role to Darren Evans.

"Do you see him walking right now?" redshirt freshman Ryan Williams said about starting tailback Darren Evans.

Evans, the 6-foot, 213-pound hoss from Indianapolis, Ind., was trotting off of the practice field in his pads holding his helmet in his left hand, a stoic expression on his face. Evans was all business, even on a warm Saturday afternoon in the off-season.

"He looks like he wants to run somebody over," Williams said with a wide smile on his face.

Williams, who is this year's highly touted redshirt freshman tailback, will look to follow in the footsteps of Evans, who ran for 1,265 yards and 11 touchdowns in his own first-year campaign.

"Redshirting helped me out with the change of pace from high school to college," Williams said. "Even though I still feel like I could've played last year, I probably would've been more acclimated to the game speed around midseason or late in the season, instead of the beginning of the season, like how I feel right now."

The 5-foot-9 halfback from Stonewall Jackson High School will complement Evans and provide a solid one-two punch this season for the Tech ground game.

"Obviously, he was good enough to play with a ball in his arm carrying the football," said associate head coach and running backs coach Billy Hite. "I think Evans is a perfect example of soaking for a year, learning everything and being able to turn yourself loose. ... He's gotten so much better since he's been here. You could see it through the preseason camp and on through. This is a very talented group out there. It really is. We haven't been this way in a while."

"It was game speed, getting in the weight room and getting bigger, faster and stronger," Williams said. "Last year, when I came in I was 196 (pounds). Now I weigh 213. I feel like I put on some good weight and gained a lot of muscle. I feel a lot better. I think that's the biggest difference."

Hite, who has helped take 24 Hokie halfbacks to the National Football League, is entering his 31st season on Tech's coaching staff. And what hasn't gone unnoticed by that staff is that, since Williams has emerged as a serious threat in the backfield, Evans has pushed himself even harder to retain his starting spot.

"He's going to get even better this year than he was last year," Hite said. "I think that any time you're satisfied with what you've accomplished so far, you're in trouble. I know Darren, and he's not satisfied. He wants to keep doing the things that got him where he is. He's got a baby. He's got a lot on his plate, but he finds time to get everything done."

Confident, yet laid back, Williams appeared to be at ease and take everything in during the start of his promising career. Williams also appears to be bluntly honest and up for any challenge.

"I think, in the open field, I'm the most dangerous person," Evans said. "I'm excited to get the ball, period, however I get it. I want to be the most dangerous person on the field. ... We have a lot of weapons, but I want to be that guy. When people come into our stadium, or when we go to their stadium, they know No. 34 is the most dangerous person on the field."

The Hokies will also look to utilize Williams' velocity and agility on special teams.  The coaching staff will strongly consider him as a potential punt and kickoff return man.

"Every time he touches the ball he has the chance to make a big play," Hite said. "That's just another phase of football where you want to get him with the ball in his hands."

"Punt returning is one of my specialties just because it's a lot of open field, and that's what I feel like I'm most dangerous at," Williams said. "I'm very excited about it. I'm going to keep practicing so that catching punts becomes second nature."

The two tailbacks started off with two very different running styles. Williams has always been about speed, while Evans was always known for his toughness. However, they knew that they would have to improve their deficits to become the best all-around back for the Hokies.

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