Here is an analysis of each 2016 Tennessee football recruit. We will look at one Vols newcomer per day. Today’s player is wide receiver Latrell Williams.
Arguably the most underrated steal of the class, Latrell Williams committed to Butch Jones and the Tennessee Vols on National Signing Day 2016.
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He is only a two-star on Rivals, but the 5’11” 175-pound native from Lake City, Fla. actually flipped his commitment from the Miami Hurricanes to the Vols and also fielded an offer from the Virginia Tech Hokies. So there is clearly something that some elite coaches are seeing in him.
And it’s probably speed. Williams is rumored to have clocked in a 4.2-40 time at one point, and he is a perfect speed guy that can fit in with an offense if you have the right system.
Early Analysis
Williams is very athletic and pretty much burns anybody who tries to guard him one-on-one. His speed has also served him as a scat back who can take a running play for a touchdown.
But when you plug in the tape, he’s even more than that, and it becomes harder to see how he was only a two-star. In addition to his speed, Williams is very acrobatic and can reverse his body to make catches. In fact, that is a bigger strength than his speed on a football field. He has the hands and athleticism to play receiver on the outside and in the slot despite being small.
However, it is clear that Williams did not have to do a lot of sophisticated route-running in college. Almost all of his plays were quick slants, designed runs, and hot routes down the sideline. A few times he made plays not because he got to the right spot but because he had the athleticism to bail himself out. He will have to work on that at this level before he can become a real threat.
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What Latrell Williams Brings to Tennessee
The Vols picked up a speedy receiver who with time could add another huge element to their passing game, and if he picks up route-running he could become a very diverse player as well who could make plays on the outside, in the slot, or as a running back.
Williams also sets the Vols up for a solid kick returner once Evan Berry leaves. Overall, he could become a huge steal of this recruiting class.