JohnnyWilliams

Played some snaps at defensive end during spring practice and could see some action there this year … Has seen the majority of starting assignments at strongside linebacker the last two seasons … Has made progress each year he has been at UK, playing more consistently … Appeared in 36 career games, earning 14 starting nods … Has 92 tackles as a Wildcat, including a single-game best of eight stops against Arkansas in 2007.

2007 (Junior): Had 43 tackles, best of his career … Struggled with a foot injury during the season, missing the LSU game because of the condition … Set a career high with eight tackles against Arkansas and also broke up his first career pass … Led the Kentucky defense with seven tackles against Eastern Kentucky.

2006 (Sophomore): Totaled 35 tackles, with a season-high six at LSU and against Georgia … Got an interception vs. Georgia … Caused two fumbles during the season … Played in all 13 games, starting seven.

2005 (Freshman): Played in all 11 games as a reserve linebacker … Totaled 14 tackles, with a season high of three vs. Louisville … Had tackles for loss vs. Florida and Ole Miss … Originally signed with Kentucky in Feb. 2004, he enrolled in Jan. 2005 as a “grayshirt.”

High School: Second-team all-state as a senior in the highly competitive Florida Class AAAAA ranks … Helped lead Fletcher HS of Neptune Beach, Fla., to a 12-2 record and a trip to the state semifinals, the finest season in school history … Accumulated 89 tackles from his defensive end post, adding 15 quarterback sacks and three fumble recoveries … Named All-First Coast, All-Metro Jacksonville, all-conference, and all-district … Came on strong in his senior year after missing all but two games of his junior campaign because of injury … Started at defensive end as a freshman and sophomore at Ribault HS in Jacksonville … Projects as a linebacker on the collegiate level … Coached at Fletcher by Joe Reynolds … “Johnny is relentless,” Reynolds said. “He was a great pass rusher for us, a fierce tackler, handles double-team blocking, and also runs well.” … A two-year letterman on the track and field team, competing in the shot put and discus … Honor-roll student who was awarded the Ace Scholarship … His recruiting finalists included Kentucky, Central Florida, Bowling Green, Clemson, and Georgia Tech.

Personal: Born in Tampa, Fla. … Son of Johnny Lee Williams Sr. and Antoinette Williams … Major is agricultural economics.

Community Cats: Served as a mentor at Johnson Elementary School (2006) … Volunteer at the American Cancer Society Relay for Life and participated in an event at Bryan Station Middle School (2007) … Took part in the UK Children’s Hospital Valentine’s Day party (2008).

Williams Career Statistics

YearPositionG-GSTacklesTFL-Yds.Sack-Yds.PBUFRFC2005Linebacker11-0142-400002006Linebacker13-7352-300022007Linebacker12-7431-20110Totals36-14925-90112

Williams Game-by-Game Statistics

2006

OpponentTacklesTFL-Yds.Sacks-Yds.at Louisville300Texas State21-10Ole Miss500at Florida000Central Michigan300South Carolina000at LSU60.5-10at Mississippi State20.5-10Georgia600Vanderbilt100UL-Monroe200at Tennessee400vs. Clemson100Totals352-30

2007

Opponent Tackles Sacks-Yds. TFL-Yds. FC FR PBUEastern Kentucky       700000Kent State301-2010Louisville600000at Arkansas800001Florida Atlantic300000at South Carolina100000LSUINJFlorida400000Mississippi State200000at Vanderbilt200000at Georgia300000Tennessee400000vs. Florida State000000Totals4301-2011