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April 3, 2003 With legitimate 4.4 speed, Plaquemine (La.) running back Jakouri Williams is fast becoming a household name with college coaches. According to Williams, however, one school stands above the rest in the early going of his recruitment -- the University of Michigan.?Michigan?s my number one. I went there over the summer and I just liked the atmosphere. I like the winning program they keep and I like the tradition they have,? Williams said. ?It?s probably going to be a little nerve-wracking (playing) in front of all those fans, but it is something that I would look forward to. Michigan plays on national television almost every week so that?s another thing I like about them.? Miami, Florida State, Texas, LSU and Florida round out the list of early favorites. Michigan is the only school out of his favorites to have offered Williams a scholarship thus far, and Coach Fred Jackson has been in contact with the player and his coach. ?I might make a decision before the season starts or I might wait until signing day, it just depends on who all offers,? said Williams. A starter since his sophomore season, Williams rushed for 1,464 yards (11.6 a carry) last year and scored 28 touchdowns. Plaquemine High School coach Don Jones was the head coach of former Michigan star Anthony Thomas when Thomas was at nearby Winnfield High School and Williams has taken notice of the Wolverines? success in attracting kids out of Louisiana. ?They?ve got a running back up there right now in Timmy Bracken and his high school was about two minutes away from mine,? Williams added. Despite the success Williams has had in his previous two seasons, the senior-to-be is gearing up for his final campaign and hopes to achieve some lofty numbers in the process. ?A goal I set for myself is to get 2,000 yards, but I?m going to have to be injury free," he said. "If everything goes well then hopefully I can get it.? Williams compares himself to current NFL tailback Warrick Dunn in terms of style. The elusiveness and flat out speed of Dunn is an aspect that Williams says parallels his game, but he also hopes he will have added a few more dimensions when the fall rolls around. ?I?m more of a speed back and I can hit the corner, but next year hopefully I can get a little more powerful and get better moves,? Williams added. ?I know speed is not going to do it all for me because there are linebackers that run 4.5?s and 4.6?, so I?ve been in the weight room since we got knocked out of the playoffs last year. I?m in the weight room three or four days a week and the days I?m not lifting I?m running.? Williams? time in the weight room has him bench pressing 290 pounds now and squatting 420. Track has also been a part of Williams? training regimen, and the 5-10, 180-pounder is currently running the 100 meters, 200 meters, and a couple of relays. His best time currently is 10.7 in the 100. The three factors that will play into Williams? decision are the program itself, academics, and location, although he was quick to mention that going north would not bother him if it was the right school. Williams is unsure whether he will attend any camps this summer, but if he does, the first one he will think about is the Michigan camp. |
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