AJC > Sports > Football Recruiting > Blog > Archives > 2008 > May > 27 > Entry

Tennessee-bound Williams didn’t grow up a college football fan

Milton running back Toney Williams has always bled red and black. But his loyalty has never been to the program based in Athens.

“I’ve always followed the pros and my favorite team is the Atlanta Falcons,” said Williams, who committed to Tennessee earlier this month. “I didn’t even start watching college football until maybe a year or two ago.

“I really didn’t really like any college team growing up. I’ve always followed the pros more.”

Though his football passion has always been with the NFL, he is beginning to understand the hoopla surrounding college game days on Saturdays throughout the nation.

“I wouldn’t say it was always a dream for me to play college football, but I definitely want to be part of it,” he said.

“I know what all this stands for and what it’s all about.”

Williams chose the Vols over scholarship offers from Georgia Tech, Indiana, Kentucky, N.C. State and Rutgers.

“I like my decision,” he said. “I don’t regret it at all. I’m not talking to any other schools.”

In fact, the 6-foot-1, 227-pound back doesn’t plan to hear additional sales pitches from coaches this summer.

“I don’t plan on going to any camps so far, but I am going to Tennessee this summer,” Williams said. “I just don’t know yet when I’ll visit.”

Permalink | Comments (25) | Post your comment | Categories: Tennessee

Comments

By VolPark

May 27, 2008 8:01 PM | Link to this

Smart thinking Toney! Don’t let the other coaches sway you. Stay firm to your first instincts. I can hardly wait to see you in Orange! GO VOLS!

By Vol4evah

May 27, 2008 8:23 PM | Link to this

Looks like Phil went down to Georgia and picked up another stud RB from Georgia. Bad news for Rickt and his crew that Phil done stole another plum.

By Ben

May 27, 2008 8:36 PM | Link to this

Just like a UT fan…..can’t spell and doesn’t have a clue. Georgia didn’t even offer the guy. Therefore, fat Phil didn’t steal him from Coach Richt.

By Don

May 27, 2008 9:48 PM | Link to this

Oh Gosh, what will we do without Toney, all we have left is Knowshon, Caleb, Dontavious, Carlton, Richard, and Washaun. Man are we in bad shape.

By T

May 27, 2008 10:32 PM | Link to this

Stupid Orange fans don’t know s&*t!! Georgia gets what it wants, and we are LOADED at the RB position, as well as most all positions. GO DAWGS, SICK’EM!!

By Chet

May 27, 2008 10:47 PM | Link to this

wow, worthless tidbit on a mediocre running back from a worthless high school football team. When has Milton ever been good??? They’ve sucked all the way back in the late 90’s when I went to Chattahoochee and we beat them EVERY SINGLE YEAR. This guy probably runs a 4.7…there’s a reason the Dawgs didn’t offer this guy: HE’S NOT THAT GOOD.

By DWG

May 27, 2008 11:44 PM | Link to this

vol4evah here’s a lesson for you:

the Vols beating out Georgia Tech, Indiana, Kentucky, N.C. State and Rutgers for a recruit = not a good sign for UT.

the Vols beating out UGA, UF, Auburn and FSU for a recruit = good sign for UT.

print this out and keep it close to your computer to reference this upcoming recruiting season.

All jokes aside, you never know who’s going to pan out and who isn’t… so maybe he’ll be the one that got overlooked by the bigger programs. Hope the young man stays healthy and gets a good education.

By junkyarddawgs97

May 28, 2008 12:23 AM | Link to this

Vol fans,

You’ve got to be kidding me about “stealing one” from Georgia considering we have a HEISMAN candidate in the backfield backed up by about 6 studs. Geez.

Plus, read the article…who did you guys beat out for this stiff…KENTUCKY, INDIANA, GEORGIA TECH, RUTGERS, AND NC STATE.

Oooooh, that’s so big time to beat out those schools for a mediocre running back. Get a clue, Vol nation.

By HOT DAWG!!!!!

May 28, 2008 1:25 AM | Link to this

A good decision for young Mr. Williams.

What a great opportunity for a local young man - an opportunity to get a quality education and a chance to play in the SEC. Enjoy your time at UT - it will go by faster than you realize. Enjoy playing at Neyland, the Swamp, Williams Bryce, at Bama, and Tween the Hedges!!!!!!

I wish you a great college experience and hope your dream of making the Pro’s comes true.

Tennessee is going through a similar academic growth period that UGA did a few years back due to TN’s Hope Scholarship Program. Average SAT score has gone from 980 to 1200 in the 4 years of the programs existence. This year - only 5 out of every 12 applicants were accepted.

I know this because my daughter took several visits, applied, and was accepted at UT , Auburn, Furman, and UGA. Very impressed with all the schools - and have new found respect for what UT is accomplishing. They are on the same path that UF and UGA went down years ago.

Be proud young Mr. Williams and take advantage of this opportunity.

By the way - my daughter will attend UGA this coming fall. Totally her decision. I would have been proud where ever she decided to attend. GO DAWGS!!!!

By chairoller

May 28, 2008 3:38 AM | Link to this

You puppy fans have a good point. uga has been beating the Vols in recruiting the past few years (according to all of those athletic sports reporters) and are loaded at running back. I wonder how all of those top recruits have felt watching UT spank them on the field the past 2 years.

By Volball

May 28, 2008 6:05 AM | Link to this

One thing I’ve noticed in my periodic readings of the comments is how vicious UGA fans can be. Certainly not all of them. But the mean-spirited nature of some people is disturbing. Sure, UT has the hick reputation, FL is the arrogant bunch (legacy of Steve Superior), and ALA has the reputation of being insular. Come on, Dawgs fans, focus on cheering for your team. Like many of you, though, I can’t control the Vol Army few that want to take nasty potshots. And can we please agree to stop pointing out spelling mistakes? That was old 2 years ago. College Football rules! Go Vols, even with Phil at the helm.

By yellowblood

May 28, 2008 6:59 AM | Link to this

Mr. Williams, you have made a huge mistake. UT does not even hold Tickle Piles. If you had come to North Ave. you would have recieved a world class education and the best Tickle Piles in America.(wink,wink)

By Rick S

May 28, 2008 8:32 AM | Link to this

Toney Williams has a good future at Tennessee but he needs to learn humility as making statements about how he never cared for Georgia or Georgia Tech will be remembered so hopefully he will not be looking for employment opportunities in the state of Georgia after his playing days are over at UT

By Proud dawg

May 28, 2008 9:11 AM | Link to this

Hey Vol people… pay attention to what he said… he only cares about the NFL, he’ll be gone before you know it! That is if he is any good… he was not heavily recruited so dont start sucking each others you know what yet!

By UGH

May 28, 2008 9:16 AM | Link to this

Just like Georgia fans… you’re loaded all right… but still won’t win a thing! It’s the same thing every year. Georiga says how great they are “going” to be only to be outdone by someone else! Ugh!

By Chet

May 28, 2008 9:30 AM | Link to this

Wow, I love hearing from douchebag UT fans that likely hold lower-level management positions in warehouses, due to their stellar educations that they received at UT…Here’s a word of advice: until your alumni’s W2 averages over $32,000/yr, just shut your hillbilly mouths. You guys won’t win an SEC championship so long as Richt is at Georgia and Meyer is at Florida, so do yourselves a favor and focus on ladies basketball for the next 20 or so years. Nice life.

By Rob Hicks

May 28, 2008 10:12 AM | Link to this

WOW.. we mised out t UGA on a kid who has never dreamt of playing college ball. Sounds like he sure is committed to it now.. NOT. See him bolt your program as ASAP UT.. good luck with him!!

By Bird

May 28, 2008 10:14 AM | Link to this

UGA is loaded at running back-this kid wouldn’t even make the field in 4 years-good luck fat coach with this kid! UT is so 1999…….

By huntgadog

May 28, 2008 12:09 PM | Link to this

didn’t grow up a college football fan, no wonder he signed with tenn.thanks son we only want the real ones.Go Dawgs…..

By Halberstram

May 28, 2008 1:04 PM | Link to this

Congrats to Toney, good luck up there except when playing UGA.

Lets lay off the mean-spirited remarks.

By tom

May 28, 2008 3:21 PM | Link to this

Why the hell do you have to take a back-handed slap at the University of Georgia? Why can’t you just report that the young man had made a decision as to where to attend college? What an a*.

By Paddy

May 28, 2008 4:09 PM | Link to this

Have a great time and play well. Except when it is against the Dawgs.

By BIG LEW

May 28, 2008 6:32 PM | Link to this

GA FANS, WE OWN YOU GUYS, CHECK THE RECORDS THE LAST 20 YEARS. PLUS LAST TWO WE BEAT THE CRAP OUT OF YOU. SO STAY OFF THE PIPE PUPPY’S.

By Keeping It Real

May 30, 2008 8:38 AM | Link to this

Jawja sucks!!! GO VOLS!!!

By Vol4ever

July 22, 2008 5:33 PM | Link to this

Hey Chet that great comment assures us all that you never attended college. WOW!

Commenting is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. M-F

Post a comment



Remember me?

You may use the following formatting:
Bold: **this text will be bolded** = this text will be bolded
Italic: *this text will be italic* = this text will be italic
Link: [text to be linked](http://www.ajc.com) = text to be linked



There will be a delay of up to 5 minutes before your comment appears.


*HTML not allowed in comments. Your e-mail address is required.

 

Kudzu.com: Mosquitos are breeding.  Ready for the bites?
Today's deal from DealSwarm.com

Local sports videos





AJC Breaking News Updates