LEXINGTON, Ky. ? University of Kentucky offensive tackle Garry Williams has been named to the preseason watch list for the prestigious Outland Trophy, given to the best interior lineman in college football.
Williams, a senior from Louisville, Ky., has been a two-year starter at left tackle with the responsibility of protecting the blind side of now-departed quarterback Andr? Woodson. He was named second-team All-Southeastern Conference by league coaches last year. He also was the SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week for his performance in the win over Florida Atlantic.
Williams has been part of the UK offense which has increased its production of points and yardage for three consecutive seasons. The Wildcats posted back-to-back championships of the 2006 and 2007 Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl.
The Outland Trophy is selected by the Football Writers Association of America and has been awarded since 1946. In 1950, Kentucky’s Bob Gain was the first SEC player to win the Outland.
?clayton> Terry Clayton, a senior linebacker on the 2007 Kentucky football team, has been named a Strength and Conditioning All-American by the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA).
Clayton (Olmstead, Ky.) put up prodigious numbers in the Wildcat weight room under the guidance of Marc Hill, the UK director of strength and conditioning. Clayton’s top efforts included a 635-pound squat lift, 400-pound bench press, and 335 pounds in the power clean.
“Terry overcame many obstacles to become a contributing member of back-to-back bowl teams,” Hill said. “He lost his hearing due to illness as a youth, and because of his work ethic was able to fulfill a dream of playing major college football.
“A huge part of his athletic success can be deemed to his dedication to his workout regimen. He has been an overachiever in all aspects, and was truly a joy to have in our program. I am honored to have gotten to know Terry over the last five years.”
The fact that Clayton played college football is a story in itself. Rendered deaf at the age of five because of a high fever associated with a severe case of chicken pox, Clayton never let his disability hold him back. He was an all-conference player at Logan County High School and earned a place as a walk-on (non-scholarship player) at UK.
Clayton was a member of the team from 2003-07 and part of the UK squads that posted consecutive victories in the Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl in 2006 and 2007. As a senior, he won the inaugural Rudy Award, which recognizes the most inspirational walk-on player in the nation. He was a three-year member of the Southeastern Conference Academic Honor Roll. On the UK campus, he received the Carol S. Adelstein Outstanding Student Award for overcoming disabilities.
Clayton is the 26th player in Kentucky history to be named to be named an NSCA All-American, the seventh-consecutive year that a Wildcat has been selected.
The NSCA All-America program is sponsored by Power Systems, Inc., a manufacturer of fitness products.
Season Ticket Renewal Deadline is April 30: The deadline for renewal of 2008 Kentucky football season tickets is Wed., April 30. Tickets may be renewed on the Internet at ukathletics.com, in-person at the UK Athletics Ticket Office in the Joe Craft Center, or by mail.
