'08 VA RB Ryan Williams (Virginia Tech Verbal)

[johnnd05]

A nice article on Ryan from a local paper:

Stonewall running backs among best in the nation

By:Steve Franklin
09/05/2007

One wears No. 34 and runs like Walter Peyton. The other wears No. 25 and reminds people of Reggie Bush. One has scholarship offers from all over the country. The other will soon have. One is considered by most to be the greatest running back in school history. The other may soon dethrone him.

This season, Stonewall Jackson's Ryan Williams and Damien Thigpen form the scariest one-two running back punch in the state - one reason "The Gainesville Times" predicts they'll dethrone two-time defending district champion Osbourn.

"They're very talented athletes," said Stonewall Jackson coach Loren Johnson. "They've both put in a lot of time in the weight room and have dedicated themselves to the game."

Williams is the third ranked player in the state by Rivals.com and is considered the 55th best player in the nation from the Class of 2008. Just last week, Thigpen - the 300-meter state champion in track - was named a five-star recruit by Rivals.com, and is projected as one of the top 100 players in the nation from the class of 2009.

"What I like the most about them is that they're both good kids," Johnson said. "They'll both do anything to help the team. They're just special kids."

Besides spending numerous hours in the weight room, Williams and Thigpen have become students of the game. They've spent countless nights together watching old game film and studying retired players such as Peyton and Barry Sanders.

"I love those guys, because that's my style," Williams said. "I'm kind of a dancer. I like to spin and make people miss. Damien, he's more like a Emmitt Smith. He just makes one cut and goes."

The two are good friends, but they've got two totally different mentalities.

"I would like the ball on every play, where Ryan doesn't care how many carries he gets," Thigpen said with a chuckle. "I know we are better off with Ryan in there, but I'd still like the ball more."

Williams predicts that Thigpen will set the school record for rushing yards in a season next year.

"He could get 2,500 yards next year," Williams said. "He won't have to split carries, so next year he's going to be awesome."

Both would like 2,000 yards in 2007, but winning is there first priority.

"We just want to win the district," Williams said. "If I get 2,000 yards or 100, we just want to win."

[johnnd05]

Ryan gets some nice coverage in this video on his team: Tragedy Unites, Drives Stonewall Jackson Football Team - DC - MySpace News.

[johnnd05]

Per ESPN, Ryan sat the first half of last week's game with a bad ankle, but came in and rushed 16 times for 94 yards.

[johnnd05]

From USA Today:

Manassas (Va.) Stonewall Jackson running back Ryan Williams is expected to take an early unofficial visit to Virginia Tech this month. Williams' coach played at Virginia Tech, and the Hokies are rumored to be his leader.

Is that true?

[goldandblue]

hope not.

[johnnd05]

Here's a nice profile on Ryan:

2007 High School Football: Stonewall Jackson's Ryan Williams Runs to Daylight

Written by Wendall Stevens
Wednesday, 12 September 2007

I asked Raider Coach Loren Johnson what's the first thing that comes to mind when he thinks of Ryan Williams and he responded saying, "Some guys can just do it." Indeed, Ryan Williams has been "doin' it" since he first put on the pads as a freshmen.

As a freshmen, it was obvious right away that Ryan had the natural instincts such as
vision, balance and explosivness. Raider athletic director Ira DeGrood said, as a freshmen he had the physical stature but had a good attitude to match. "Ryan teamed up with another super runner in Chris Garrett (now at Ohio University) and they shared the running load." Coach Johnson said that although he shared the load with Chris, "you knew from day one his future was bright."

Williams development was much like a great stock, he started an upward climb up the charts. Williams totaled over 1,600 yards of offense as a freshman, with 1,200 of those yards on the ground.

During Ryan's sophomore year, word started to get out about his ability. When I first saw Ryan during the Hylton game, my first thought was of former Dolphins All Pro running back Ricky Williams. His build and explosiveness is astonishing similiar to Williams. He even wears the number 34.

Although an injury cut short his production his sophomore year, he still managed to gain 700 yards in six games. Last year as a junior, Ryan racked up 1,570 rushing yards. Coach Johnson mentioned that Ryan is a system guy. "We just plug him in anywhere, he'll produce. We don't have to build anything around him."

Both Johnson and DeGrood say that Ryan's best qualities are his character and personality. "On top of his natural gifts is his work ethic and willingness to give credit to his teammates. " DeGrood said of Ryan. "I'd let him babysit my kids." Coach Johnson mentions it's his desire to be successful that drives him. "He wants to be the best he can be."

Coming from a single parent home, it's obvious he was well raised according to
DeGrood. "His mom is very special." Ryan carries a 3.0 GPA which is one reason so many schools are interested in his services.

"It was a lot of fun and excitement around here last spring." DeGrood said. "Charlie Weiss of Notre Dame and Urban Meyer were through these halls." Schools such as Virgina Tech, UVA, Michigan, Rutgers, Penn St, Pitt, Notre Dame, Florida, USC, Clemson and Duke are all after Ryan. Ryan is scheduled for five visits before he decides.

Coaches that meet Ryan all leave impressed with him. After a 15 minute meeting with a Boston College coach, he asked Ryan to repeat everything he said and Ryan repeated every word. The coach mentioned, "I never had a kid listen the way he did."

Ryan Williams didn't play the first half of the Raiders game against Hylton last Friday
because of a high ankle sprain. During halftime, Ryan told Coach Johnson, "I'm ready coach, I'm ready to go." Ryan returned with his ankles taped and immediately broke off a 23 yard run right up the middle. What I saw was a difference maker, someone who "tilted the field" with his talent. He just finds the holes and explodes through them and before you know it he's 15 yards down the field. Williams gained 94 yards on 16 carries in the second half in which the Raiders won 13-2.

[GoshenGipper]

It wasn't true the last I heard, but that was a little while ago, and we should all know by know how fast things can change in today's recruiting world.