Bryan Williams

[Dr Z]

By Tom GaffneyThis is how Bryan Williams remembers a conversation with University of Akron football coach J.D. Brookhart after the 2007 season:Brookhart: ''I have been thinking about something.''Williams: ''I already know what you are talking about.''Brookhart: ''Defense?''Williams: ''Defense.''That was basically all it took for Williams, a junior tailback and the Zips' leading rusher in 2007, to agree to make the move to strong safety for his senior season in 2008.''We were thinking about the same thing. I was thinking about it, and I know he was thinking about it. When he came up to me, I knew what he was going to say,'' Williams said. ''We were on the same page.''Brookhart said the position switch did not require a stroke of genius.''As fast as he played on offense, he is faster on defense,'' Brookhart said. ''It made sense. He has speed, toughness, the ability to blitz and to cover. He is a complete player.''Williams was a first-team all-state selection for Buchtel High School in 2004 as a running back (1,831 yards rushing and 26 touchdowns) and as a defensive back (six interceptions).He was recruited as a cornerback by the University ofPittsburgh, but academic issues led him to attend Valley Forge (Pa.) Academy, where he excelled on offense and defense for two years.When he joined the Zips in 2007, running back was a position of concern and the secondary was not. So Brookhart put him at tailback and he went on to lead the team in rushing with 728 yards on 152 attempts (4.8 average) and to be named third-team All-Mid-American Conference.In 2008, virtually all the secondary had departed, so Brookhart asked Williams to make the switch and he has more than met all expectations in the spring and the first week of fall camp.''We have depth at running back now and Bryan has always shown up as a defense player,'' Brookhart said. ''When we lost so many DBs, we felt Bryan was a very good answer to the strong safety position and he has proved us right.''For the record, Brookhart has a track record of success in position switches.In 2003, Domenik Hixon led the Zips in tackles with 111 as a sophomore strong safety but was moved to wide receiver for his last two years. He set a school record for catches in 2004 with 66 and then broke it in 2005 with 75.In addition, Jabari Arthur was a quarterback early in his career with the Zips, but Brookhart moved him to wide receiver in 2007 as a senior. He then broke Hixon's school record for catches with 86.The 5-foot-10, 200-pound Williams vowed to make his move another successful one.''I love it. I was a defensive player coming out of high school. It's the best thing for me,'' Williams said. ''I love defense. That's where my heart is.''I want to have a great season. I want to go out with a bang.''Williams said the biggest transition for him has been learning to stop the run, rather than stop the pass.''Run support is harder. Your responsibility in zone coverage is to get to your zone, which I am comfortable with,'' he said. ''When the other team is running the ball . . . it's been an adjustment going from playing running back to running after a running back.''Williams was more hesitant to talk about how the move will help him in the long run. He said he is concentrating on the 2008 season and any future endeavor (hint: NFL) will take care of itself.However, it's obvious that his professional prospects are better on defense and as a kickoff returner (his 31.9 average in 2007 was second in the nation and first in the MAC).''I have an ultimate goal. Everyone knows what it is,'' said Williams, brushing aside specific questions about the NFL. ''This will help me with it. It's there. I have been thinking about it.''For now, though, being part of a defensive force is his primary goal.''As a defense, we want to stop everything,'' Williams said. ''We want to fly to the ball, be aggressive, get picks. We want to be dogs out there.''Which is exactly what J.D. Brookhart was thinking about nine months ago.Source is Ohio.com

[zen]

[Captain Kangaroo]

Here's one of those "lock it up" statements that always come back to bite me...but this time it won't:Bryan Williams will have the impact on our defense that Dwight Smith had several years ago. Williams is a game-changer with the ability to score every time the opposing QB throws the ball his way. Just like Dwight. In the spring game he played on a completely different speed than anyone else. The guy was born to play defense, and I think his performance will be worth the price of a Rubber Bowl admission in-and-of-itself. Just like Dwight.I also think the remainder of our secondary is excellent. Jalil Carter is awesome. He'll shine this year. Armin "Kaboom" Kabir is a huge hitter. These guys made Andre Jones' move to offense possible. Brandon Anderson is one of the more gifted players on the roster. With Corner and Tate gone, it is his time to shine.Between the remainder of the DB prospects, SOMEONE will inevitably step up. If DaVon Moore's knee is ok, I'll say it's him. Maybe Will Flemming has a nice camp and gets into the mix at safety? Marvase Byrd is a tremendous talent. I think he'll push the upperclassmen for PT. Miguel Graham is a senior with experience. And my dark horse candidate for a breakthrough year is Evan Laube. He hits hard, hustles his ass off and also seems to have a nose for the ball. I like him.Go back only a few years to see when we had Dwight Smith and...Buehler...Buehler...anyone...? Jesse Smith was our #2 CB for 3 consecutive years and he wouldn't be #4 on this defensive backfield's depth chart. At safety for 4 years...John "Tip Drill" Fuller. To quote Dennis Hopper -- "Bad things, man. Bad things..."The fact that we go 2-deep on our DL for the first time in history is also going to help the DBs.The defensive backfield doesn't worry me in the least this season. I think it will be a strength. Quarterback? *shudder*

[72 Roo]

I was a skeptic regarding our DB's. No more. I love the addition of Williams. He will be a beast back there and make everyone around him better. The Captain is right, our DL will create more pressurethan we have ever had. That equates to less time and a higher need to be perfect with the pass. I don't see a lot of QB's in the MAC who can do that to us. Maybe I'm looking at the situation thru Zip colored glasses, but I predict our running game won't miss a beat. Johnson can even be better than Williams. Kennedy gives depth and Allen is awesome in the slot. Our OL has potential. For my money I want to see them get nastier and become better run blockers.Football is still a game that is dominated by QB's. That leaves me getting little sleep at night because we are a giant question mark at that position. As our QB goes this year, so go the Zips. Plain and simple. Come on Jacq and Matt, make us proud!

[ZachTheZip]

We have, with out a doubt, one of the most talented teams in the MAC, and certainly one of the deepest at most positions. But, like every one else has said, the one position that matters the most could easily ruin our season. JD has said that Jacq has made great strides in the offseason, and he has never ending praise for Matt Rodgers, but I won't beleive it until I see it for my self. Until then, I have every right to be worried after last year's disaster.

[GP1]

He was recruited as a cornerback by the University ofPittsburgh, but academic issues led him to attend Valley Forge (Pa.) Academy, where he excelled on offense and defense for two years.

Excellent pick up DrZ!Some of the generally stupid commentary on this board this week has centered around taking risks on kids. Some would say that a guy like this should not be signed because he would not be able to succeed academically. In a twisted leap of faith, the same type of thinkers would say that he should not be signed because he had to go to a prep school and we just can't take a risk "on a kid like that". Others would say that since he did not go to Pitt, he would be a problem at UofA because he would be selfish (this is actually a potential problem, but it seems as if JD has that under control). I scratch my bald head at this thinking. Here is what we have with Williams....He is a completely unselfish kid willing to do what is best for the team. While he may not be Dean's List material, like the great GP1 was for undergrad and graduate school, he is holding his own. He has not been a single problem and is showing good leadership skills with the acceptance of this move. I'd like to take a minute to thank Mr. Williams for flipping the bird (figuratively) to the narrow minded bigots of the world. If this kid is a risk, let's take more risks.

[Captain Kangaroo]

He was recruited as a cornerback by the University ofPittsburgh, but academic issues led him to attend Valley Forge (Pa.) Academy, where he excelled on offense and defense for two years.

Excellent pick up DrZ!Some of the generally stupid commentary on this board this week has centered around taking risks on kids. Some would say that a guy like this should not be signed because he would not be able to succeed academically. In a twisted leap of faith, the same type of thinkers would say that he should not be signed because he had to go to a prep school and we just can't take a risk "on a kid like that". Others would say that since he did not go to Pitt, he would be a problem at UofA because he would be selfish (this is actually a potential problem, but it seems as if JD has that under control). I scratch my bald head at this thinking. Here is what we have with Williams....He is a completely unselfish kid willing to do what is best for the team. While he may not be Dean's List material, like the great GP1 was for undergrad and graduate school, he is holding his own. He has not been a single problem and is showing good leadership skills with the acceptance of this move. I'd like to take a minute to thank Mr. Williams for flipping the bird (figuratively) to the narrow minded bigots of the world. If this kid is a risk, let's take more risks.

Please click here while reading GP1's post.

[GP1]

He was recruited as a cornerback by the University ofPittsburgh, but academic issues led him to attend Valley Forge (Pa.) Academy, where he excelled on offense and defense for two years.

Excellent pick up DrZ!Some of the generally stupid commentary on this board this week has centered around taking risks on kids. Some would say that a guy like this should not be signed because he would not be able to succeed academically. In a twisted leap of faith, the same type of thinkers would say that he should not be signed because he had to go to a prep school and we just can't take a risk "on a kid like that". Others would say that since he did not go to Pitt, he would be a problem at UofA because he would be selfish (this is actually a potential problem, but it seems as if JD has that under control). I scratch my bald head at this thinking. Here is what we have with Williams....He is a completely unselfish kid willing to do what is best for the team. While he may not be Dean's List material, like the great GP1 was for undergrad and graduate school, he is holding his own. He has not been a single problem and is showing good leadership skills with the acceptance of this move. I'd like to take a minute to thank Mr. Williams for flipping the bird (figuratively) to the narrow minded bigots of the world. If this kid is a risk, let's take more risks.

Please click here while reading GP1's post.

Now that's damn good stuff!

[Zipsrifle]

He was recruited as a cornerback by the University ofPittsburgh, but academic issues led him to attend Valley Forge (Pa.) Academy, where he excelled on offense and defense for two years.

Excellent pick up DrZ!Some of the generally stupid commentary on this board this week has centered around taking risks on kids. Some would say that a guy like this should not be signed because he would not be able to succeed academically. In a twisted leap of faith, the same type of thinkers would say that he should not be signed because he had to go to a prep school and we just can't take a risk "on a kid like that". Others would say that since he did not go to Pitt, he would be a problem at UofA because he would be selfish (this is actually a potential problem, but it seems as if JD has that under control). I scratch my bald head at this thinking. Here is what we have with Williams....He is a completely unselfish kid willing to do what is best for the team. While he may not be Dean's List material, like the great GP1 was for undergrad and graduate school, he is holding his own. He has not been a single problem and is showing good leadership skills with the acceptance of this move. I'd like to take a minute to thank Mr. Williams for flipping the bird (figuratively) to the narrow minded bigots of the world. If this kid is a risk, let's take more risks.

There are so many people out there who know what everyone else thinks and what they would say. I just wonder why they aren't worth BILLIONS?? It's too bad that someone who thinks that taking risks on students who have sketchy academic backgrounds and/or have had issues with the law is a bad idea is viewed with such disgust on this board. As this is the case, I don't understand why we weren't all cheering for Rydell Brooks when he started shooting at cops or why we aren't enamored that Harvey isn't with the team anymore? I completely understand that just because someone did something bad in the past doesn't mean they are going to do it in the future. But if you were forced to loan money to someone, would you choose the person who has paid off all their loans in the past, or pick the guy who has missed quite a few payments? My gut tells me that you go with the guy who pays back his loans. Sure, if you're greedy the risky guy may get you higher interest, but if you load up with risky guys, you might have a major meltdown. Hmmmmmmmmm......... sounds familiar. Unfortunately for us, if we keep screwing up, instead of being bailed out by the Gov't, we get sanctioned by the NCAA. Now that I think of it, I don't know why I'm so suprised. I didn't understand 5 years ago how so many people could be so far extended financially and I don't understand now why it's a good idea to load up on risky players? In the end, it'll probaby turn out the same way, I'll just be screwed over by the people taking risks. I hope you guys are right on these risky moves, but remember those #1 recruiting classes we had a few years ago? Shouldn't that translate into being the top team in the confrence and not the bottom????

[GP1]

He was recruited as a cornerback by the University ofPittsburgh, but academic issues led him to attend Valley Forge (Pa.) Academy, where he excelled on offense and defense for two years.

Excellent pick up DrZ!Some of the generally stupid commentary on this board this week has centered around taking risks on kids. Some would say that a guy like this should not be signed because he would not be able to succeed academically. In a twisted leap of faith, the same type of thinkers would say that he should not be signed because he had to go to a prep school and we just can't take a risk "on a kid like that". Others would say that since he did not go to Pitt, he would be a problem at UofA because he would be selfish (this is actually a potential problem, but it seems as if JD has that under control). I scratch my bald head at this thinking. Here is what we have with Williams....He is a completely unselfish kid willing to do what is best for the team. While he may not be Dean's List material, like the great GP1 was for undergrad and graduate school, he is holding his own. He has not been a single problem and is showing good leadership skills with the acceptance of this move. I'd like to take a minute to thank Mr. Williams for flipping the bird (figuratively) to the narrow minded bigots of the world. If this kid is a risk, let's take more risks.

There are so many people out there who know what everyone else thinks and what they would say. I just wonder why they aren't worth BILLIONS??

Actually, if you go onto various other links on this board, you can see exactly what people say and think about this issue.