Roy Williams Envisions a Top Ten Defense at UCF

The University of Central Florida signed its best class of junior college signees on Wednesday, but the big day may not have been possible if not for the earlier commitment of Roy Williams.

The defensive lineman from Southwest Community College had his eyes set on attending UCF after his official visit in mid-November, and his dedication may have helped sway teammates DeMarcus Johnson and Chad Mascoe.

UCF is getting one of the best junior college defensive prospects in the nation in Williams, and a player who can compete right away for any position on the line. He can play interior or on the outside at defensive end.

"I always thought very highly of UCF," Williams said. "I signed with Florida out of high school. I was just going with the record, and their tradition, the type of school they are, but now I've played two years in a junior college and I want be closer to home to my parents so they can see me play. Also the rest of the town can come down to Orlando and see me play."

Williams, who was recently ranked the 10th best junior college prospect in the country by the Jackson (Miss.) Clarion-Ledger, was recruited by UCF Recruiting Coordinator Scott Fountain. He looked at several schools throughout the Fall, and ended up taking official visits to Mississippi State and Middle Tennessee.

"I was also considering Clemson, and South Carolina because a former teammate plays for them, Rod Thomas," Williams said. "I was considering Florida till we had a misunderstanding there. But UCF was always on top of my list during the whole season of my sophomore year."

Williams was a star at DeLand High School two years ago, and ultimately signed with Florida after being courted by most of the major schools in the Southeast. He admitted he sort of overlooked UCF that time around.

"At the time, UCF was kind of small to me because all the big schools were after me," Williams said. "Schools like Syracuse, Florida, Miami, Florida State, South Carolina, and Clemson. They had Daunte Culpepper but they weren't as big. But now UCF has made a name for themselves. They're in the MAC conference. They're bowl eligible now. UCF is a program that is growing tremendously."

Williams (6-3, 275) is focused on getting ready for spring practice and making an impact early. He is recovering from a pulled tendon in his ring finger which caused him to miss the last 3 games of the season at Southwest. Earlier in the season he had to wear a cast because of torn ligaments in his thumb. But Williams said he is close to being 100 percent and is looking forward to getting more serious in the weight room. Because of the hand injuries his lifting has been limited this Fall.

"I will be ready," Williams said. "I have a desire to be ready. I've been working out, I've been running 3 times a week, and I've been lifting 4 times a week. I'm getting myself in shape because I haven't lifted weights in at least 3 months because the cast was put on my hand in September."

UCF coaches said they will take a wait-and-see attitude on where Roy would likely play until he gets on campus and starts practices. He realistically could play anywhere on the line and may rotate around.

"I'm versatile," Williams said. "I can play inside or outside. That will open up a lot of doors for playing time. It may be some games I may start at end, and some games they might put me at inside tackle. I can play the whole line."

Roy, DeMarcus, and Chad developed a close bond at Southwest the last couple years, and it appeared all three would be headed to different schools once the semester ended.

"We did everything together," Roy said. "We'd go to parties and hang out together. We'd talk to one another off the field. If one of us was feeling kind of down, the other guy would be there to talk to and give you guidance. At first we all talked about going to the same school. Don't leave one another. I went to the Mississippi State visit, DeMarcus went to the Florida visit, and Chad went to Florida State. DeMarcus committed to Florida and Chad to Florida State.

"I thought we were all going to split up, but I kept talking to them and telling them what UCF and Orlando had to offer. I kept telling them the kind of job opportunities here in Orlando if you don't go to the League. I think they were kind of seeing that in the future. I told them UCF is on the rise. It's something to be a part of. So I guess they listened and took my advice."

Williams said his junior college experience was a good one, and it allowed him to adjust to college life and improve overall as a player.

"I think I'm more mature as a football player and in the classroom," he said. "I think I've gotten stronger on the field, I've developed more technique. I've gotten quicker, I'm more quick on my feet. I think I make better decisions on the field. Sometimes in the game I think I can't be stopped. I think junior college football has helped me a lot. It's a great experience. You can get ready both mentally and physically for the next level."

Williams, who is going to major in communications, is looking forward to settling down in an apartment with his girlfriend he met in Mississippi. They are expecting a child in April, and she is going to move down to Orlando and attend UCF.

"I just want to do an all around good job," Roy said. "I think my teammates are going to be behind me 100 percent. I think myself, DeMarcus, and Chad are going to make a big impact on defense. We're looking to be in the top ten in the nation in total defense."