Photo: Regina Rickert
True freshman running back honored by Sporting News for impressive kickoff returns
LEXINGTON, Ky. – University of Kentucky true freshman running back Stanley “Boom” Williams has been named to the Sporting News All-True Freshman Team as a kickoff return specialist for his strong rookie campaign for the Wildcats, it was announced on Wednesday.
Williams was one of three players from the Southeastern Conference to be named to the offensive team, joining Alabama offensive lineman Cameron Robinson and Arkansas offensive lineman Frank Ragnow. Seven SEC players were named to the defensive team, including Ole Miss defensive lineman Marquis Haynes, Texas A&M defensive lineman Myles Garrett, Tennessee defensive lineman Derek Barnett, Vanderbilt linebacker Nigel Bowden, Florida cornerback Jalen Tabor, LSU safety Jamal Adams and Alabama punter JK Scott.
A native of Monroe, Ga., Williams led Kentucky in kickoff returns with 19 returns for 511 yards and a 26.9 average. Williams ranks second in the nation among true freshman in kickoff return average, while he ranks 11th overall. Williams’ longest return of the season was 75 yards against ULM, marking the longest kickoff return for Kentucky since 2009.
On the offensive side of the ball, Williams led Kentucky in rushing with 488 yards and five touchdowns, including a very impressive 6.5 yards per carry. Williams was one of only 10 players in the nation who had three touchdown rushes of 50-yard plays in 2014. The George Walton Academy product had two 100-yard rushing games, including a career-best 126 yards and two touchdowns against Louisville. Williams also caught 17 passes for 162 yards and one touchdown.
All told, Williams led Kentucky in all-purpose yards with 1,159, averaging 115.9 yards per game. That total ranked him 59th nationally and sixth among freshmen nationally.
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All-True Freshman Team – Offense
QB Brad Kaaya, Miami
RB Dalvin Cook, Florida State
RB Samaje Perine, Oklahoma
WR KD Cannon, Baylor
WR JuJu Smith, USC
TE Chad Olsen, Fresno State
OL Cameron Robinson, Alabama
OL Toa Lobendahn, USC
OL Frank Ragnow, Arkansas
OL Mason Cole, Michigan
OL Tejan Koroma, BYU
K Trevor Moore, North Texas
KR Boom Williams, Kentucky
All-True Freshman Team – Defense
DL Marquis Haynes, Ole Miss
DL Myles Garrett, Texas A&M
DL Derek Barnett, Tennessee
DL KeShun Freeman, Georgia Tech
LB Raekwon McMillan, Ohio State
LB Nigel Bowden, Vanderbilt
LB Nyles Morgan, Notre Dame
CB Jalen Tabor, Florida
CB Adoree Jackson, USC
S Quin Blanding, Virginia
S Jamal Adams, LSU
P JK Scott, Alabama
PR De’Mornay Pierson-El, Nebraska
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