Bryan Williams heads home

Coming out of Buchtel high school in 2005, safety Bryan Williams committed to Pittsburgh. Two years later after going to junior college at Wayne (Pa.) Valley Forge Military, the 6-foot-0, 197-pound safety is going through the recruiting process again in preparation to enroll this summer. Did Williams stick with the Panthers?

"I actually committed to Akron yesterday," he said. "I talked to coach Brookhard and Moorhead. Oh man, they were very excited, probably even more so than me. After I committed, they told me they can't wait to get me up there so I can play opposite Chris Wells in the Ohio State game next year."

Just a couple weeks back, the three-star prospect was speaking very highly of Pittsburgh. What made him switch?

"It came down to my official visit which was a little spotty," he said. "When I went on the visit this past weekend, my position coach Chris Ball wasn't there. The guy I have been dealing with for the past three years was out of town for the whole trip and I was the only recruit on campus. I think what was more frustrating was that I didn't even get to talk to him on the phone when I was there, that was a big negative and really hurt.

"I can tell, I still love coach Junko and Wannstedt. For me, I didn't want to go into an environment where I have to get to know my position coach and learn the position at the same time."

In the end, Akron was the winner for his services.

"I have been through the recruiting process twice and I really felt like I learned how the coaches feel about you," he said. "The coaches at Akron really showed me how I can change the program and I felt really comfortable there. It made me feel at home.

"I also really like the facilities. They are nice and then the players are cool. I believe right now Akron doesn't have any players from the city, and it's kind of exciting to be the only player from the area on the team. Finally, they are going to let me play running back and that's it. I look forward to the opportunity to tote the rock for Akron."

As far as playing time, Williams is expected to see the field immediately for the Zips.

"They said I should get a lot of playing time right away as long as I come in and work hard," he said. "Valley Forge has prepared me the last two years to reach for my goals and I'm looking forward to doing that at Akron."