OL Josh Williford becoming a wanted man
By Yancy Porter
Mississippi Scout
Posted Jun 16, 2008
How does a 6' 7", 345 pound offensive lineman from Dothan (AL) go from a virtual unknown to a player who is now coveted by LSU, Ole Miss, and Alabama?
"I did not play offensive line until my junior year," added Josh Williford. "I played DT for two years. We started a new offense this year and had a zone blocking scheme. I just took off from there. I made All-Conference and
All-State. We lost to Pickens County in the playoffs and finished 7-3."
Getting physical has never been a problem for Josh.
"Run blocking is my biggest strength. I just love to hit people and pancake them. But I feel after the Ole Miss and LSU camps, my pass blocking has become stronger.
Our school does not throw it much, but I have learned a lot about pass blocking at those camps. I think it is going to be a strength of mine now."
The Houston Aca standout had such a good camp at LSU and Ole Miss that he received a scholarship offer from both schools.
"LSU told me that they wanted me to come down to their camp after I went over there for JR Day. I practiced for about an hour and a half, took a shower, then their head coach called me into his office and offered me. Both schools said
they really liked my feet. LSU said I had an explosive punch when it comes to pass protection, and they liked the way I bent my knees."
"At Ole Miss, I practiced for about an hour and then Coaches Markuson and
Nutt offered me. Coach Markuson flat out said I could start for them my freshman year. They thought I was that advanced. They liked the way I moved and bent my knees. Coach Markuson also told me that I was easy to coach. He did not have to go over it a couple of times for it to sink in. He thought I was a fast learner."
How did Auburn and Alabama overlook Josh?
"Honestly, I really do not know. I went to one of Alabama's practices this Spring and I am going over there to their camp on Saturday. My sophomore year, Coach Rodney Dollar, sent out letters about me. I started receiving letters from Ole Miss and LSU inviting me to their Jr Day, and me and my dad said what the heck, lets go over there and see what they are all about. They invited me back to their camp and now I have an offer from both schools."
Anymore schools involved in Josh's recruitment?
"It is really LSU, Ole Miss, Alabama, Stanford, UAB, Memphis, Louisville, Duke, and FSU."
Anymore camps on the horizon outside of Alabama?
"I am going to Alabama and then I am done."
Did Williford grow up an Alabama or Auburn fan?
"No,
I actually grew up rooting for Tennessee (laugh). Everyone around here thinks that is strange (laugh)."
Although Josh did not grow up a Tide fan, they are still very much in the game.
"I am really down to LSU, Ole Miss, and Alabama. All of my friends are going to Alabama, and I heard a lot of great things about Alabama and all of these schools. That is why I want to check them all out. Alabama has great tradition and it seems like they are an up and coming program. It is close to home too, so I can see my parents when I want to."
Williford expands on Ole Miss.
"All of the schools have their pros and cons, but I like the atmosphere around Ole Miss' campus. It is smaller than say a LSU or Tennessee, which I prefer. I like smaller schools. They are also about an hour and half from
my grandparents in Summerville (TN) [seems like his family is originally from TN, which is why he grew up a TN fan]. Their coaches are real friendly too. They are read down to earth."
LSU's Veterinarian school stands out.
"It is awesome receiving your first scholarship from the team that won the national championship. That is something I can always tell my kids. They also have great coaches and their facilities are awesome like Ole Miss'. But the main thing with LSU is that I want to be a Vet, and LSU's Veterinarian program was just awesome. That really stood out."
The Tigers seem to be showing the most love too.
"Well,
when I came home from our vacation today, I had enough hand written letters from LSU to make wall paper with. I am talking to Ole Miss on the phone a lot, but it seems like LSU is going out of its way."
Time frame on a commitment?
"It is no secret that my Top 3 schools are LSU, Ole Miss, and Alabama, in no particular order. It is a difficult choice. I could see myself playing for any of those three schools. I do not know. I will commit when I am sure of the school I want to go to. If it is this summer, I would love to go ahead and commit. But if I am not sure, I will take all of my official visits to make sure I do not make the wrong decision."
Josh reports a 385 bench press/600 squat/3.4 GPA/22 ACT.
http://alabama.scout.com/a.z?s=14&p=2&c=762608Click to expand...
