Recruiting news of interest around the SEC
T.J. Walls
Recruiting Correspondent
At 6’3”, 192 lbs, Armand Williams received the gift of a lifetime just 6 days before National Signing Day. On January 28th Les Miles extended Williams the offer that he’d been dreaming about all his life. Williams was the #98 wide receiver (in the nation) and rated a 3-star according Rivals. Despite the rating, Armand has a great chance to be a big contributor for the LSU Tigers next year.
“LSU has only three returning receivers with any experience coming back, Russell Sheppard, Reuben Randall, and Toliver. If I work hard and learn the playbook I think I can make an impact” said Williams
According to Williams he had several offers Arkansas, Auburn, Tulsa, Okla. State and Missouri to name a few. Armand was committed to the Arkansas Razorbacks before getting the offer from LSU.
“Yeah, I was going to Arkansas because of their engineering program. Plus there were several other factors. I wanted to play in the SEC. LSU had not offered and I didn’t know if they would have a spot open,” Williams said. “The coach recruiting me for Arkansas was Billy Robinson and I really didn’t like his attitude. So when I got the call from Coach Miles I jumped on it.”
Q&A
T.J. Walls: What did you like about Arkansas?
A.W.: The facilities were great. I really liked Coach Paul Petrino, but two days after I committed there he took a job somewhere else. Coach Petrino is a good coach and I liked their passing offense. They have the best quarterack in Mallet returning and that was a big lure.
T.J.: Did Alabama recruit you?
A.W.: Alabama invited me to visit and I really liked Alabama for the fact that they have one of the best coaches in college football. I think they are loaded at receiver and I was not recruited very heavily by Alabama. I grew up a fan of LSU when Coach Saban was the coach there. I respect what he did at LSU and what he’s doing at Alabama. He’s a winner and a champion. Alabama’s a great school and a Football powerhouse. Although I didn’t visit Tuscaloosa, several of my friends say that the facilities are some of the best in the nation. Plus, I believe their team is young so they will compete for years to come.
T.J.: What are some of the things that you like about LSU?
A.W.: Coach Miles is an awesome man. He’s a player’s coach. They also have a new receivers’ coach, Coach (Billy) Gonzalez. He just came there from the Florida Gators. He coached Percy Harvin and has a great track record in sending receivers to the NFL. The facilities at LSU are top notch and The Cox Community Center is incredible. That’s where they tutor the football players. The coaches guaranteed me playing time as a true freshman.
T.J.: What are some of your freshman Goals?
A.W.: To be a freshman All-American and to be named All- Conference.
Stats: Hand Timed 40: 4.47 Bench: 375 Squat: 425 Power Clean: 330
Broad jump: 138inches Vertical Jump: 42inches
Jr: 56 receptions 958yds 10 TD
Sr. 45 receptions 632 yds 8 TD
First team All State
Offensive MVP of the Max Emfinger All American Classic
3 receptions 210 yards 2 TD
… “Q&A
T.J. Walls: What did you like about Arkansas?
A.W.: The facilities were great. I really liked Coach Paul Petrino,” …
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Confusion here — did he REALLY say PAUL Petrino instead of Bob or even a Bobby?
Shrug that …
That was the offensive coordinator not the head coach he was talking about.
Other than getting his big brother coffee, Paul Petrino’s main responsibility was coaching WR’s always has been, at Louisville, the Falcons and Arkansas. Bobby is the real OC since he gameplans and calls the plays. However, Paul was primarly responsible for recruiting WR’s at Louisville and I presume Arkansas as well.