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SALT LAKE CITY — There’s only five days until the Utes run out onto the field at Rice-Eccles Stadium to kick off their season against SUU. Continuing our countdown, KSL.com looks at the lone player wearing No. 5 this season, Tavaris Williams
Tavaris Williams, RS-SO, defensive back
Another two-way player out of Florida, Williams is now in his third year with the Utah program. In high school, Williams compiled 3,583 all-purpose yards as an all-state running back and registered 27 career rushing touchdowns. Most of those came during his senior year, when he rushed for 1,819 yards on 184 carries (9.89 yards per carry) and 21 touchdowns.
He’s been clocked in the 40-yard dash at 4.42 and according to his bio, he has the fastest pro shuttle time on the team at 3.85.
Though he clearly had talent at the running back position, the defensive coaches at Utah got their hands on Williams and convinced him to switch sides. As a true freshman cornerback in 2014, he lettered and made appearances in six games. While most of his playing time was reserved for special teams, he found the field at CB in two games that were well in hand for the Utes and had a pass breakup in each of them.
He was ready to compete for a starting position in 2015 when he went down with a season-ending injury in the first game of the year. However, after redshirting, Williams is back and healthy, looking to make an impact for what is still technically his sophomore season.
Starter Reginald Porter proved himself last season in Williams’ absence, which is why the latter still is sitting as the backup, but don’t be surprised to see Williams rotated through regularly. Twitter: @GriffDoug
