Alvin Kamara: What Makes a Great Running Back
Favorite sneakers? The Cool Grey Jordan 11s. Favorite athlete growing up? Usain Bolt.
Meet freshman running back Justin Williams, one of the Vols’ top signees from the class of 2022.
As time goes on, Williams could be one of the Vols’ most dynamic running backs in years with all the potential he has. However, the freshman from Georgia is just working on getting to know the Tennessee program right now.
So, in return, Williams took some time to share a little bit about himself, taking part in the Vols’ “First and Ten” series.
“What made me choose Tennessee was just the atmosphere that I felt here,” Williams said in the video. “Felt like home. When I got on campus, I mean, I felt the love from all the fans, the coaches, and it was like it was no better place I’d rather be than here.”
Williams, formerly a four-star recruit according to ESPN, Rivals, and On3, committed to and signed with Tennessee on the first day of the early signing period in December of 2021. Just over a month later, Williams was officially enrolled at the University of Tennessee.
Additionally, Rivals has Williams as the 11th-ranked running back in the class and the 14th overall player from the state of Georgia.
Standing at six feet tall and weighing in at 200-pounds, Williams is a dynamic running back that can be used in a number of different ways. As he says himself, Williams is crafting his game after Titans running back Derrick Henry and VFL Alvin Kamara.
“I model my game around Alvin Kamara, a little bit of Derrick Henry as well,” Williams said. “You want to be able to run the ball, but also catch the ball in the backfield as well.”
In the new age of college football, an effective running back can’t just be a running back. College football’s top programs are ones that use their running back in a variety of ways, including in the receiving game downfield. Just look at Tennessee last year – a top ten offense nationally that utilized both Tiyon Evans and Jabari Small in the passing game. Both Evans and Small combined for 13 catches, 151 receiving yards, and a touchdown during the season.
Below are highlights from Williams’ senior season at East Paulding High School, followed by Williams’ official “First and Ten” video from Tennessee.
ꜰɪʀꜱᴛ ᴀɴᴅ ᴛᴇɴ: ɴᴇᴡᴄᴏᴍᴇʀ ᴇᴅɪᴛɪᴏɴ@akajwill #GBO pic.twitter.com/11pLhvHZ05
— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) February 23, 2022
