[LeeCoUKFan]

Kentucky turns to Texas to eye a wide receiver

Justin Rowland
Special to CatsIllustrated.com

One of the lingering questions concerning Kentucky's football recruiting efforts was to what degree the new staff would recruit in Texas. We're starting to get an answer.

The Lone Star State doesn't appear to be part of Kentucky's central recruiting focus in the same way in-state prospects and those from Ohio and Florida are.

[Image: http://vmedia.rivals.com/IMAGES/PROSPECT..._6_26A.JPG]

But the staff is willing to identify specific talents that fit their system, especially if Neal Brown, Chad Scott or Tommy Mainord had a previous relationship with them from their stints at Texas Tech.

Enter T.V. Williams, a 5-foot-10, 160-pound receiver from McKinney (Tex.). He camped at Texas Tech last year and performed well.

When Brown left to take over as UK's offensive coordinator Williams sent his highlight tape to Lexington in the hopes that he would rise to the surface as a possible target.

"I didn't hear from them for a while but then maybe two weeks ago they offered," Williams said. "About a week before that we started goin back and forth. They sat down as a staff and watched my film. Coach Brown wanted to offer after that."

That was big for Williams and not only because it's another offer to his credit. He has already known he's likely headed to the BCS ranks with offers from Cal, Nebraska and Oregon State as well.

He has had a lot of respect for Brown and likes the idea of playing for him.

"I love coach Brown," Williams said. "He's always been a good guy to me. He's always been honest and he's going to tell me the truth. He's not going to lie to me. I really appreciate that. Also, I love the offense he's bringing to Kentucky.

"I wouldn't have a problem going to the SEC, either. I'd actually welcome it. It's one of the best leagues right now. If you want to be the best you've got to play the best."

Williams has never visited Kentucky but he plans to change that soon. He also added that he didn't believe the distance from McKinney to Lexington would hurt the Wildcats when he's making his decision.

"Distance isn't going to play a factor in my decision at all. It may be a good idea to stay home but then again it may be a good idea to leave. I don't know yet," he said.

"I'm going down to Baylor this weekend and I know for sure I'm going to Kentucky, I think for their spring game. They have a junior day tied into that so I know I'm going to go up there for that. I'm trying to go to Cal this May, probably, and I'll definitely go to Houston. I don't really have dates for most of it but I'm trying to get out to as many (schools) as possible."

As a junior Williams had 45 receptions for 800 yards and 11 touchdowns.

While Kentucky has offered a large number of receivers from across the country already Williams is the first from Texas to receive an offer from the Wildcats.

http://kentucky.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1487164