MikeWilliams

Returning starter at strong safety, one of only four returning regulars on the Wildcat defense … Former cornerback who enhances the UK pass coverage … A strong hitter … Spent some of his time in the spring running for the UK track team … Has played in 22 games.

2002 (Sophomore): Started all 12 games at outside safety … Had 53 tackles on the season, featuring five tackles for loss and a quarterback sack … Career high of nine tackles came against Georgia … Tied for the team lead in interceptions with two, both of which were crucial plays in Wildcat victories … With three minutes to go at Louisville, and Kentucky clinging to a five-point lead, he snared the rebound of an Earven Flowers deflection for an interception that sealed the verdict for the Wildcats … On the first play of the second half at Arkansas, he intercepted a pass and returned it 16 yards to the Razorback 12-yard line … Artose Pinner ran it in on the next play and Kentucky never trailed again in the upset of the Hogs … Stopped an Indiana drive at the Kentucky 10-yard line when he sacked the quarterback and caused a fumble that was recovered by Vincent Burns … Broke up five passes during the season … Tied for the team lead in fumbles caused with two.

2001 (Freshman): Outstanding athlete who was a late find in the recruiting process, signing in the summer of 2001 … Earned playing time in 10 games as a true freshman … Played at cornerback and on special teams … Made 14 tackles and added three pass breakups … Had a season high of four tackles against Vanderbilt and Indiana … Had two PBU vs. the Hoosiers.

High School: Defensive back prospect with remarkable athletic ability … Three-year letterman and two-year starter for Godby HS in Tallahassee, Fla. … Helped lead Godby to Class AAAA state playoff appearances following his junior and senior seasons … Won the district championship as a senior … Played linebacker, strong safety, and special teams … First-team all-district as a senior, an all-star selection which included all six Florida classifications … Honorable-mention All-Big Bend area … Senior year statistics featured 99 tackles, 4.5 quarterback sacks, three caused fumbles, four fumble recoveries, and five pass breakups … Also won the Tallahassee Quarterback Club Player of the Week Award … “Mike is an exceptional athlete who can run, jump, and hit,” said Godby Coach Shelton Crews. “Kentucky is getting a hidden gem, a diamond in the rough.” … Four-year letterman in track … Has excellent accomplishments in the jump events … Went to the state meet in the triple jump as a senior (third place) and as a sophomore (eighth place) … Best triple jump is 47 feet, one inch … Qualified for the state his senior year in the long jump and has a best leap of 22 feet, seven inches … Also competed in the high jump, with a personal best of six feet, four inches … Also recruited by Louisville, Purdue, Middle Tennessee, South Carolina, and West Virginia.

Personal: Full name is Michael Eugene Williams … Born 5-7-82 in Tallahassee, Fla. … Son of Nancy McMillian and Robert Williams … Major is kinesiology.

Williams Career Statistics

Year Position   G-GS Tackles TFL Sacks-Yds. PBU Int.-Yds.  FR  FC2001 Cornerback 10-0   14     0      0       3     0        0   02002 Safety     12-12  53    5-20   1-9      5   2-18       1   2Totals          22-12  67    5-20   1-9      8   2-18       1   2

Williams Game-by-Game Statistics

2002Opponent       Tackles PBU Int.-Yds. FR FCLouisville        1     0     1-2     1  0Texas-El Paso     5     1      0      0  0Indiana           8     0      0      0  1Middle Tennessee  5     0      0      0  0Florida           6     0      0      0  0South Carolina    4     1      0      0  0Arkansas          5     0     1-16    0  0Georgia           9     0      0      0  1Mississippi State 1     0      0      0  0Louisiana State   3     1      0      0  0Vanderbilt        3     1      0      0  0Tennessee         3     1      0      0  0Totals           53     5     2-28    1  2