Williams carries Hoover to title

HOOVER, Ala. - This was a chance for Hoover, Ala. wide receiver Cornelius Williams to show that he belonged on a national stage. He was competing against some of the best defensive backs and best wide receivers in the South. Williams proved this weekend that he may just be better than some give him credit for, being a key cog in leading his team to the 7-on-7 tournament championship.

"I think a lot of people didnt think we could beat Springdale," Williams said.

"We came up with some big plays on offense and scored when we had to, but our defense just kept stepping up and making big time plays. In that first game both teams were fresh and we had to really play well to win it. In the championship they had played four straight games and we'd been off the game before so we were fresh. I feel like I did well, I think I made some key catches, by my quarterback was on the money down the stretch we did this as a team unit."

The 6-foot-0, 172-pound Williams attended the NIKE camp in Oxford in May where he ran the shuttle in 4.25 seconds and posted a 28-inch vertical jump.

"As far as recruiting goes I don't really have any new offers or interest or anything," Williams said. "I still have offers from Southern Miss and Middle Tennessee State. Mississippi State, Arkansas, Alabama, Memphis and Tennessee are all still sending me a lot of stuff still. I think once the season starts more teams will start looking at me. We play our first game of the year on national TV on ESPN so I hope I have a big game and turn some heads."

As a junior Williams caught 55 passes for 955 yards and 10 touchdowns in helping lead his team to a third consecutive state title.

"I really don't have a list of top schools at this point," Williams said. "I'm really still open to everyone that wants to look at me and all. I know that Southern Miss and Middle Tennessee State are schools that I'm interested in because they have already stepped up and offered."

Hoover will host Jacksonville (Fla.) Nease the first game of the season, which will be televised nationally on ESPN. Nease will bring one of the nation's top players to Hoover in quaterback Tim Tebow, but the Bucs are ready for the season opener.

"We've been doing voluntary workouts all summer long," Williams said. "We've gotten out on our own and worked on our game. We're always trying to get better. I know the coaches have been putting together a game plan, but we can't start working on it until we start practice. I think we'll be ready."