Photo: TSU running back Terrence Wright cuts back across the field during the Tigers' scrimmage Wednesday. (Photo by LARRY MCCORMACK / THE TENNESSEAN )
By MIKE ORGAN, Staff Writer
Javarris Williams, Tennessee State's preseason All-Ohio Valley Conference running back, has been bumped from the Tigers' first team by sophomore Terrence Wright.
Wright, a speedster from Houston, will start when TSU faces Alabama A&M in the Sept. 1 opener at LP Field in the John Merritt Classic, Coach James Webster said.
Webster on Wednesday said the switch was not an indication that Williams had performed poorly in the preseason, but that Wright had been exceptional.
Last season, Webster threatened to take Williams off the first team after Williams reported to preseason camp out of condition.
"I've always said you earn your starting position every day," Webster said. "Nothing is given, and I feel at this point in camp that T. Wright has earned the right to be a starter. That's not saying that Javarris hasn't worked hard, because he has worked hard. Javarris reported in better shape than he ever has. He's worked hard in practice, and he's done everything that we asked him to do."
Up for grabs
Williams, a junior who is third on TSU's all-time rushing list with 2,105 yards, gained 1,233 yards on 245 attempts and scored 12 touchdowns last year.
Wright finished third on the team with 86 yards on 24 carries and two touchdowns. Most of Wright's playing time came late in the season.
Williams said he was taking the change in stride.
"Competition is always good," Williams said. "(Wright) came in and has had a pretty good camp. It's just pushing me to work that much harder."
Wright said he has had his eye on the starting position since he arrived at TSU last year, even though Williams already appeared to be entrenched.
"Being moved to the starting team makes me feel like the work that I've been putting in has paid off," Wright said.
Not the same
Wright, who played in seven games last year, said he and Williams have different running styles.
"The difference is obvious," Wright said. "He's more of a power back but he has good feet, too. I'm more of a speedy back, a slash type that likes to get out into the open field, take it to the sidelines and score."
Williams, realizing Wright's talents, envisioned sharing the duties with Wright.
"I wouldn't mind if I get the ball for a few carries and he gets it like 10 or 15 carries — that works for me," Williams said. "We have different running styles and that can make it hard on defenses we play against."
The switch, Wright said, has not put a strain on his relationship with Williams.
"We have a brotherly love type of relationship because he's from Richmond, Texas, and I'm from Houston," Wright said. "We're like brothers. He looks out for me, and I look out for him on and off the field."
Javarris Williams, Tennessee State's preseason All-Ohio Valley Conference running back, has been bumped from the Tigers' first team by sophomore Terrence Wright.
Wright, a speedster from Houston, will start when TSU faces Alabama A&M in the Sept. 1 opener at LP Field in the John Merritt Classic, Coach James Webster said.
Webster on Wednesday said the switch was not an indication that Williams had performed poorly in the preseason, but that Wright had been exceptional.
Last season, Webster threatened to take Williams off the first team after Williams reported to preseason camp out of condition.
"I've always said you earn your starting position every day," Webster said. "Nothing is given, and I feel at this point in camp that T. Wright has earned the right to be a starter. That's not saying that Javarris hasn't worked hard, because he has worked hard. Javarris reported in better shape than he ever has. He's worked hard in practice, and he's done everything that we asked him to do."
Up for grabs
Williams, a junior who is third on TSU's all-time rushing list with 2,105 yards, gained 1,233 yards on 245 attempts and scored 12 touchdowns last year.
Wright finished third on the team with 86 yards on 24 carries and two touchdowns. Most of Wright's playing time came late in the season.
Williams said he was taking the change in stride.
"Competition is always good," Williams said. "(Wright) came in and has had a pretty good camp. It's just pushing me to work that much harder."
Wright said he has had his eye on the starting position since he arrived at TSU last year, even though Williams already appeared to be entrenched.
"Being moved to the starting team makes me feel like the work that I've been putting in has paid off," Wright said.
Not the same
Wright, who played in seven games last year, said he and Williams have different running styles.
"The difference is obvious," Wright said. "He's more of a power back but he has good feet, too. I'm more of a speedy back, a slash type that likes to get out into the open field, take it to the sidelines and score."
Williams, realizing Wright's talents, envisioned sharing the duties with Wright.
"I wouldn't mind if I get the ball for a few carries and he gets it like 10 or 15 carries — that works for me," Williams said. "We have different running styles and that can make it hard on defenses we play against."
The switch, Wright said, has not put a strain on his relationship with Williams.
"We have a brotherly love type of relationship because he's from Richmond, Texas, and I'm from Houston," Wright said. "We're like brothers. He looks out for me, and I look out for him on and off the field."
No comments:
Post a Comment