goldandblue
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hope not.
'08 VA RB Ryan Williams (Virginia Tech Verbal)
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johnnd05
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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.
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
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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.
johnnd05
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GoshenGipper
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Ryan's coach has confirmed that he will be making the trek to South Bend this weekend.
U
uNiDentified1
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I believe the two RBs being recruited are Ryan Williams and Carlton Thomas.
GoshenGipper
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Cyrus Gray is as well, but from what I've heard grades might be an issue there.
johnnd05
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Got it - thanks.
GoshenGipper
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According to his coach Ryan was excited about his trip to ND and that he had a great time.
Reportedly he felt very much at home, and got along very well with the ND students. While there he spent a lot of time with Ron Powlus, and he even spent some 1 on 1 time with CW.
However his coach said that even though they don't know where yet, Ryan will be taking his remaining four official visits and it'll be at least several months before he makes a decision.
Reportedly he felt very much at home, and got along very well with the ND students. While there he spent a lot of time with Ron Powlus, and he even spent some 1 on 1 time with CW.
However his coach said that even though they don't know where yet, Ryan will be taking his remaining four official visits and it'll be at least several months before he makes a decision.
johnnd05
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Williams has an ankle injury that kept him out of most of last week's game, and he'll be a game-time decision for this weekend.
Any chance that Mike Frank knew in advance that Carlton Thomas wasn't coming to Notre Dame?
GoshenGipper
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I'm pretty sure he ment Williams and Gray. By that comment I think that Gray ment that ND was giving him more attention than any other school was. Not that he was ND's top target.
This is why I have total faith in Weis and his staff. They recruit hard, and not just with the big names but also the slightly smaller names like the 3 star and 4 star prospects.
GoshenGipper
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Probably not, from what I've heard Williams was already leaning toward VaTech anyway. While he did like ND a lot his mom was the one that was really pushing for ND. ND still might have a shot at Cyrus Gray if his visit goes well, and he clears any academic hurdles left.
GoshenGipper
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Ryan just had his official selection to the AAA Bowl, and on Thursday he announce that his new top three Virginia Tech, Boston College, and Rutgers. ND's out.
johnnd05
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Too bad. I imagine that may have been a mutual decision.
G
greenandblue
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good luck to him. but too bad ND didnt get him
KamaraPolice
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let me keep with tradition:
I liked Jonas Gray better anyway.
I liked Jonas Gray better anyway.
SoCalDomer
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I just caught a snippit of an article saying Ryan scheduled an official visit; true? I thought he was already down to Rutgers VT and BC.
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ChicagoIrishfan
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If you are talking about the rivals article, that is just saying that he has scheduled an official to Virginia Tech.
SoCalDomer
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It was elsewhere, but that was probably the same info. sorry, false alarm.
GoshenGipper
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Commited to VaTech