"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?
 |
| Josh Williford |
"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). 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.