DustinWilliams

Finished the spring bracketed with Jon Sumrall as a starter at inside linebacker … Although just a sophomore, he has more college game experience that any other UK linebacker, an indication of the youth of this unit … Has impressive mobility for a player his size … Has played in 14 games.

2002 (Redshirt Freshman): Played in all 12 games as a reserve linebacker and on special teams … Made 35 tackles, with a season high of six stops in the upset at Arkansas … Had two tackles for loss … Highly valuable member of the punt return unit … Blocked punts at Florida and Mississippi State … Also a blocker for Derek Abney, who returned four punts for touchdowns.

2001 (Freshman): Played in the first two games and made three tackles … Sustained a concussion in practice and sat out the remainder of the season … Received a medical hardship and retained the year of eligibility.

High School: Outstanding athlete with a remarkable combination of size and speed … Three-year starter at middle linebacker for Minooka (Ill.) HS … Made 301 tackles in his career, including 14 tackles for loss, 13 sacks, five fumbles caused, four fumble recoveries, three pass breakups, six quarterback “hurries” and one interception returned for a touchdown … Played running back and tight end on offense … As a senior, rushed 19 times for 100 yards and caught 11 passes for 191 yards and two touchdowns … First-team all-state as a junior and senior by the Illinois Coaches Association … Was the state’s Defensive Most Valuable Player in a fan poll on the internet … Was the defensive MVP of his conference as a senior … Two-year pick on the all-conference team … First-team all-area as a senior, second team as a junior … Third-team All-Midwest by Great Lakes Recruiting and also named to the Illinois Super 22 by the same group … One of the top 125 prospects in the six-state Midwest area by Super Prep … Ranked as the No. 28 linebacker in the nation by Rivals.com … “Dustin is a big man who can run, a hard-nosed player with a great sense of the ball and a great tackler,” said Minooka Coach Mike Briscoe … A three-year letterman on the track team … Competed in the shot put, discus throw, and the 200-meter run … Honor roll student … Selected for Who’s Who Among American High School Students … His finalists included Georgia Tech, Purdue, Iowa, and Illinois.

Personal: Full name is Dustin Allen Williams … Born 9-30-82 in Humble, Tex. … Son of Mike and Patty Williams … … A cousin, Wayne Rivers, played in the National Hockey League for the New York Rangers … Major is undeclared.

The Cats’ Cause: Served meals at the Hope Center (2001) … Participated in service events at an adult day care center, the Ronald McDonald House, and the UK Children’s Hospital (2002).

Williams Career StatisticsYear Position   G-GS Tackles TFL-Yds. Sack-Yds. Blk. Kick2001 Linebacker  2-0    3       0         0         02002 Linebacker 12-0   35      2-3        0         2Totals          14-0   38      2-3        0         2

Williams Game-by-Game Statistics

2002Opponent       Tackles TFL-Yds. Block KickLouisville        3       0         0Texas-El Paso     3      1-1        0Indiana           5       0         0Middle Tennessee  2       0         0Florida           4      1-2        1South Carolina    1       0         0Arkansas          6       0         0Georgia           3       0         0Mississippi State 0       0         1Louisiana State   4       0         0Vanderbilt        4       0         0Tennessee         0       0         0Totals           35      2-3        2