The Cardinal Countdown: 22 Days Until Kickoff

#22 Chucky Williams

Class: RS Sophomore

Ht/Wt: 6-2/204

Position: Safety

Hometown: Hialeah, FL

Twitter: @_YoungCardinal

Thoughts: Interesting fact, Chucky is actually 43 years old. Well, not really, but he looks like a “grown ass man” and it sure feels like he’s been in the program for about 5 or 6 years. If you look at the safety position for UofL the last few years we have produced some big time talent. Holliman and Sample are fresh on our minds, but let’s not forget Calvin Pryor and Hakeem Smith who reigned over the secondary for almost four years straight. That’s four players earning money right now playing professional football, and that’s just at one position. 2015 will be another “introduction” to some new blood for Cards fans, in terms of starters that is. While you could probably chisel, carve, grind (whichever you prefer) Harvey-Clemon’s name into one starting spot most have viewed the other safety as an open competition. I think Chucky, being in the program for a couple seasons now, had a slight edge in the spring and even coming into the fall seemed to solidify his lead over the others. Petrino said he was getting stronger and really like how he improved his routes, playing the ball much better in the air than last season. Chucky showed flashes last year playing in nine games at safety as well as getting some time on special teams, BUT I still have no clue where he has been the last few days. Maybe I missed an update but last I heard he was not at either open practice and Sophomore Zykiesis Cannon was getting his reps with the first team. I think last year I used Carmen Sandiego to help track down the ever elusive James Sample before fall camp so I’m not sure who resort to this year…Steve from Blue’s Clues?

As I said in Cannon’s recap one would assume something that would hold Chucky out for an extended period would have been released by now, but who knows for sure. Assuming Chucky is back and healthy I really like what he and JHC bring to the table at the safety position. As I discussed when covering Josh earlier in the week, if he floats around in the “star” position for Grantham consistency from Chucky is going to be extremely important. He will need to be providing direction and guidance to the “supplemental safety” when Harvey-Clemons slides up to linebacker or moves up along the line. JHC being utilized in that position is a huge advantage to the defense, but it’s only successful if we don’t experience a significant drop off at the safety position.

I predicted this may be the only season we see JHC on the field for Louisville but I hope (fingers crossed) we can get a couple years out of Chucky before he moves on to bigger things as well. Can you imagine two or three years from now talking about having SIX players in the NFL at the safety position? A lot has to happen between now and then but Coach Greg Brown can get it done. If you’re not familiar with Coach Brown let me rattle off some facts for you. Brown has coached Ha Ha Clinton-Dix (Alabama), Rodney Harrison, Samari Rolle, Terrence Wheatley, and two other Jim Thorpe award winners (Deon Figures/Chris Hudson) at Colorado along with Gerod Holliman who brought home the hardware last year. We’re are extremely spoiled with our coaching staff right now and each one of these guys not only develops talent but gets us that much closer to bringing home a National Championship.

Sweet Tweet:

See, I told you dude was like 43.

(Seriously though, that avi is freaking me out)