In-state OL commits to Kentucky

Kentucky picked up a verbal commitment for one of their main need areas in the Class of 2004 this weekend.

Louisville (Ky.) Seneca offensive lineman Gary Williams (6-3, 270, 4.95) gave his verbal to UK after a recent unofficial visit.

Williams, who projects as an offensive guard, had an eye-opening performance at a regional combine this summer and later attended a UK one-day camp.

“That was the first time they saw what kind of athlete he is,” Seneca coach Lonnie Oldham said. “They said he had a great camp and really impressed them with his feet. He’s not just a lineman, he’s an athlete.”

Williams made a visit to Lexington for the Louisville game on Aug. 31. The Cats didn’t fare well on that night – losing to the rival Cardinals 40-24 – but it didn’t sway the prospect’s opinion in a negative manner.

To the contrary, he left UK with an even more favorable impression.

“I think he really liked the coaching staff, the facilities, and the fact that it’s SEC football,” Oldham said. “They had everything he was looking for, both for football and academics.

“In fact, I think their agricultural program may have been one of the biggest factors in his decision to go ahead and commit. He’s in our ag-science program here at Seneca and wants to continue with that in college. That may have been the thing that put them over the top because I know he really liked Louisville a lot, too.”

Although he remains something of a “sleeper” on the national recruiting scene, Williams also has offers from Louisville, Indiana and Cincinnati.

Seneca is off to a 3-1 start this season, averging 42.3 points per game while playing in one of the state’s toughest districts. Williams will be tested often as the Red Hawks take on the likes of defending Class 4A champion Trinity, Ballard, Eastern, Fern Creek, Shelby County and Southern, but his coach says he’s more than ready for the challenge.

“He’s the guy that really anchors everything for us up front,” Oldham said. “He plays offensive tackle for us, but he’ll probably end up being a guard in college. I believe that’s what Kentucky is recruiting him as.

“I could see them using him as a guy who can get out and pull, lead plays. We have some plays that allow him to do that. He’s like a road-grater when he gets out pulling in front of a play. He really lays some crushing blocks on people.”

And it sounds like he’s only getting better.

Oldham used a thoroughbred racing analogy to describe Williams’ development.

“He’s like a 2-year-old who’s got that special look, and you know it’s not going to be long before he’s going to be a 3-year-old making a run at the Derby,” Oldham said. “He’s a three-year starter for us, but has just started to blossom. He was about 6-2, 250 pounds last season, and now he’s up to about 6-3 ½ and 270. Part of that is just natural maturation, but he’s also worked really hard in the weight room. He’s one of our hardest working kids.

“By the time he’s a junior or senior at UK and has been in their weight program a couple of years, I predict he’ll be about 6-6 and 310, easily.”