Savion Williams recaps OV, promises help is on the way
Savion Williams committed to Tennessee at the end of July, and the junior college defensive tackle hasn’t wavered on his pledge since then.
The 6-foot-4, 315-pound prospect from Lackawanna C.C. returned to Rocky Top for the first time since his commitment, taking his official visit with the Vols this weekend.
Williams made the trip with his mom Nakesha and his two sisters, telling VolQuest, “We really enjoyed ourselves. It reminded me why I committed (to Tennessee) and the reason I fell (in love) the first time.”
Tennessee’s 50-17 loss to Missouri didn’t sour the trip for Williams either. Instead, it inspired the JUCO prospect to tweet a message to Vol Nation.
“After the game, coach Pruitt came to the room with all the recruits and I was talking to him,” Williams explained.
“I could tell that he was bothered by the way they lost. I understand the process. I understand what’s going on right now. He’s a new coach. He’s coming in and trying to fix things up. He got thrown into a situation.
“But next year, as good as the recruiting class is that’s coming in, we feel like we can definitely make an impact immediately. We feel like we can be a 7,8 or 9-win team next year. People might think I’m crazy, but I really think with all my heart that we’re going to come in here and make a big impact.”
The Vols are set to lose a trio of senior defensive lineman, including tackles Shy Tuttle and Alexis Johnson. Tracy Rocker envisions Williams as a plug-and-play contributor, similar to his weekend host Emmit Gooden.
“They tell me everyday that they wish I was here right now,” Williams said.
“They need me. They need me in the middle. Coach Rocker, he wants me to play the 3-technique and the 4i. All weekend, they told me how they wished they had me on the field now. I’m expected to come in and be a big help (next season).”
Williams is expected to help Tennessee shore up its inconsistent rush defense in 2019. This fall for a 10-0 Lackawanna team, he’s recorded 32 tackles and 10 stops for a loss.
“I’d filled my role,” Williams said.
“It’s hard, we run a 3-3-5. So I have to sacrifice the stats. But I’m just trying to my job.”
Williams plans to sign with Tennessee in December and enroll in May. He’s eager to get back to Knoxville, saying the message from coaches and players was loud and clear.
“(Emmit) just kept telling me, ‘We need help. We need these recruits. We can’t wait for y’all to come in.”