Jaden Williams (91). (UK Athletics Photo)
Transfer Jaden Williams might be stepping up in competition playing for Kentucky in the Southeastern Conference but the chance to prove himself is still not the biggest motivation the Wyoming transfer has.
The Inglewood, Calif., native spent the three previous seasons at Wyoming where he played in 20 games and had 24 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 quarterback sacks.
He picked Kentucky because he liked the “family environment” on his visit and he also said he could feel the “love from the fan base” and how fans cared about the Kentucky football program.
Williams didn’t have any scholarship offers going into his high school senior season when he told his mother he had to get a scholarship so he could attend college.
“She told me I could do it, I could get that scholarship but right before my senior season started she passed away,” the defensive lineman said. “That was my main motivation going into that year, trying to help my family. God put me in that position to be able to get a scholarship to go play football somewhere. I tried to use that opportunity the best I could.”
Unfortunately, his 48-year-old mother suffered a fatal brain aneurysm and passed away. He was 16 and let his mom’s passing provide the inspiration to make 30 tackles in the season’s first five games and earn a scholarship offer from Wyoming.
“You have to trust the process and God’s timing. There are going to be some days where you are stressed and wondering about playing time and stuff. But you have to stay focused on the main goal and just go one day at a time.”
One Response
We are happy to have you young man. In the SEC lineman are rarely used there first 2-3 years on campus. There’s usually a redshirt year then a special teams year and a couple of snaps then third year they get a feel for the game. So he didn’t miss anything. He came when the time was right. We will need him this year and next year so hopefully he stays the course. If he gets better he has a legitimate shot at the NFL if he works while others are playing. Gusta looks incredible on film. Williams is faster than most guys his size. We brought in some hungry transfers who want to prove not only that they can hang in the sec but can also thrive in the sec. We actually have the #7 transfer class in college football. The fourth best in the sec. I think Marrow did a incredible job of finding talent and diamonds in the rough. Calzada is going to be one of the best quarterbacks in the sec this year. Hell when he was a redshirt freshman he was probably the 4th or 5th best quarterback in the sec. I don’t see why he’s being slept on. He went from starting at Texas A&M to being a starter at Auburn until he got hurt before the season. Then he goes to incarnate word and dominates and sets all the records and this is the same school that the #1 pick in the nfl draft also attended Cam Ward. The Cuban missile is exactly that a missle. If the offensive line has improved like I thought it would watch out. Let me go ahead and call this now so I can say I told you so Calzada will throw for over 3,000 yards this year and get drafted in the NFL. He’s a major upgrade of what we have had the last couple years. I don’t blame Leary or Brock V because the offensive line sucked. This year with a extra second or 2 to throw the ball Calzada will pick apart the defense. The defense will be so worried about the run that he will gash defenses. He has a rocket for a arm and a very quick release. Calzada will be the first quarterback to throw for 3,000 yards in the Stoops era. Plus don’t but the bs the writers are saying about us having a 3-9 or 4-8 year. I say the bottom is 6-6 and the top is 8-4 from what I’ve seen.