WildcatRick
08-20-2008, 12:07 PM
Strong-side LB also likely to play DE
Johnny Williams is going back to his roots.
No, not the ones on his head. The University of Kentucky linebacker still sports his signature long dreadlocks.
Rather, Williams is flashing back to his high school days in Jacksonville, Fla., doing double duty this preseason -- as he did during spring practice -- at linebacker and rush defensive end.
"It's starting to come back to me," Williams said. "Plus, I'm a little bit better than I was in high school."
So good, in fact, that one position can't contain him.
When UK opens the season Aug. 31 at the University of Louisville, Williams is the projected starter at strong-side linebacker. But when the Wildcats shift to nickel and dime packages, Williams will see some time at end, where he'll try to maximize his speed in rushing the quarterback.
"I love watching Johnny at end," linebacker Braxton Kelley said. "We were talking the other day, and he was saying hopefully he can lead the team in sacks this year. I think he it's possible, the way he gets off the ball."
UK's staff certainly thinks Williams has a shot at making a two-position impact.
UK experimented with that idea last season.
In the spring, the Cats committed to it.
Brett Dawson, courier-journal (http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080820/SPORTS03/808200903)
Johnny Williams is going back to his roots.
No, not the ones on his head. The University of Kentucky linebacker still sports his signature long dreadlocks.
Rather, Williams is flashing back to his high school days in Jacksonville, Fla., doing double duty this preseason -- as he did during spring practice -- at linebacker and rush defensive end.
"It's starting to come back to me," Williams said. "Plus, I'm a little bit better than I was in high school."
So good, in fact, that one position can't contain him.
When UK opens the season Aug. 31 at the University of Louisville, Williams is the projected starter at strong-side linebacker. But when the Wildcats shift to nickel and dime packages, Williams will see some time at end, where he'll try to maximize his speed in rushing the quarterback.
"I love watching Johnny at end," linebacker Braxton Kelley said. "We were talking the other day, and he was saying hopefully he can lead the team in sacks this year. I think he it's possible, the way he gets off the ball."
UK's staff certainly thinks Williams has a shot at making a two-position impact.
UK experimented with that idea last season.
In the spring, the Cats committed to it.
Brett Dawson, courier-journal (http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080820/SPORTS03/808200903)
