The Boom Williams thread

[Rhavicc]

I genuinely believe that this kid will be UK's next great player. He does a lot of things that make you believe that he could be an absolute star. I think a lot of what he'll turn into will rely on two things.

1. How will Shannon Dawson use him?
2. How much will the offensive line improve this year, next year, and the year after that.

I think we'll be very pleased with the answers to both of those questions, and I think Boom can turn into one of the great running backs in the NCAA as long as he stays healthy, and as long as he gets more reps.
Stoops mentioned that he thinks Boom can be a 3 down back for UK now, and the staff has named him "the guy", as opposed to "running back by committee" like we've had the past couple of seasons.

Would be interested in hearing the opinion of others here! If you all had to compare him to another running back in the past, who would it be?

 

[jnewc2]

I think he has all the tools to be a great college RB and one of the best playmakers in the history of UK & the SEC, but the NFL is a different animal..I don't think he has the size to be an NFL RB (not at this point anyways)..I think his best option for the next level would be as a special teams threat and a pass-catching option if he can develop his receiving skills

 

[Rhavicc]

I think he has all the tools to be a great college RB and one of the best playmakers in the history of UK & the SEC, but the NFL is a different animal..I don't think he has the size to be an NFL RB (not at this point anyways)..I think his best option for the next level would be as a special teams threat and a pass-catching option if he can develop his receiving skills

Agreed in that regard, I accidentally put the NFL. I meant NCAA lol. Put the cart before the horse there, needa edit that.
He has Reggie Bush size, and Reggie Bush was not close to the same in the NFL. Size definitely matters at that level. He'll have to bulk up noticeably if he hopes to have a long, successful career at that level.

 

[UKwannabe]

Would love to see a little Reggie Bush/LenDale White combo with Boom and Mikel. Jojo is no slouch either.

Georgia is in a class of their own with running back Depth and Bama isn't far behind them. But, with Arkansas losing their leading rusher for the season (although Alex Collins is stI'll an elite back by himself), UK is set up to have a top 3-4 backfield in the SEC.

 

[screwduke]

He needs to get as many touches as possible. He reminds me a lot of Randall Cobb (obviously different positions) because of how he can take one to the house any time he has the ball. He needs at least 15-20 touches a game if not more. Just my opinion. I hope Shannon makes sure he gets plenty of touches.

 

[CatsFanGG24]

Boom is actually pretty good size. The guy is pretty thick for a true sophomore. He goes 5'9 196...for reference, Randall Cobb goes 5'10 192.

 

[Rhavicc]

Would love to see a little Reggie Bush/LenDale White combo with Boom and Mikel. Jojo is no slouch either.

Georgia is in a class of their own with running back Depth and Bama isn't far behind them. But, with Arkansas losing their leading rusher for the season (although Alex Collins is stI'll an elite back by himself), UK is set up to have a top 3-4 backfield in the SEC.

I think Boom is set up for a breakout year. I think he plays a lot like Reggie Bush. Same caliber of kick returner, can be used in the receiving game like Bush, but experience will tell if Boom has the ability to read the field and create space for himself like Bush could. He runs in the same way that Bush did, and he has better speed than Reggie had, so there's a possibility. Boom has shown the ability to beat some really good run defenses, and behind a young, inexperienced line in the SEC to beat it all. The line isn't getting any younger, and any less deep. Dawson seemed adamant that he could go 2 deep on the line (and every other position) and be comfortable.

My biggest question is, can he get the 200 attempts that Bush got? I think so.
Just a small stat comparison between Boom Williams and Reggie Bush in their freshman seasons, for the sake of doing so:

Boom Williams:
74 rush attempts - 486 yards - 6.6 yards per carry - 5 rushing touchdowns
17 receptions - 162 yards - 9.5 yards per catch - 1 receiving touchdown
19 kick returns - 511 yards - 26.9 yards per return - 0 touchdowns

Reggie Bush:
90 rush attempts - 521 yards - 5.8 yards per carry - 3 rushing touchdowns
15 receptions - 314 yards - 20.9 yards per catch - 3 receiving touchdowns
18 kick returns - 492 yards - 27.1 yards per return - 1 touchdown

It's worth noting that Bush's yards per catch stats came back to earth the following 2 seasons, logging 11 and 12 yards per catch for his sophomore and junior seasons respectively.

I also think that Boom could be the most explosive player in the SEC next season (ironic how that works out, considering his name).
This past season, he tied for tops in the SEC in runs for 50+ yards with Nick Chubb with 3 carries for over 50 yards. That's ridiculous considering that Chubb had 3 times as many carries as Boom did.

Boom is actually pretty good size. The guy is pretty thick for a true sophomore. He goes 5'9 196...for reference, Randall Cobb goes 5'10 192.

He's thicker than his freshman season, but listed as the same weight. Thinking that they didn't update it.

 

[CatsFanGG24]

He's thicker than his freshman season, but listed as the same weight. Thinking that they didn't update it.

Yeah, they work too hard for no change. So if overall weight didn't change, he at least added some thickness in muscle. I think he could get to 210 and have a nice chance in the NFL. A guy like Frank Gore is comparable in height and plays at around 215.

 

[Rhavicc]

Yeah, they work too hard for no change. So if overall weight didn't change, he at least added some thickness in muscle. I think he could get to 210 and have a nice chance in the NFL. A guy like Frank Gore is comparable in height and plays at around 215.

215? I'm actually surprised. Talk about a guy that has always played bigger than himself.

 

[jnewc2]

I think Boom is set up for a breakout year. I think he plays a lot like Reggie Bush. Same caliber of kick returner, can be used in the receiving game like Bush, but experience will tell if Boom has the ability to read the field and create space for himself like Bush could. He runs in the same way that Bush did, and he has better speed than Reggie had, so there's a possibility. Boom has shown the ability to beat some really good run defenses, and behind a young, inexperienced line in the SEC to beat it all. The line isn't getting any younger, and any less deep. Dawson seemed adamant that he could go 2 deep on the line (and every other position) and be comfortable.

My biggest question is, can he get the 200 attempts that Bush got? I think so.
Just a small stat comparison between Boom Williams and Reggie Bush in their freshman seasons, for the sake of doing so:

Boom Williams:
74 rush attempts - 486 yards - 6.6 yards per carry - 5 rushing touchdowns
17 receptions - 162 yards - 9.5 yards per catch - 1 receiving touchdown
19 kick returns - 511 yards - 26.9 yards per return - 0 touchdowns

Reggie Bush:
90 rush attempts - 521 yards - 5.8 yards per carry - 3 rushing touchdowns
15 receptions - 314 yards - 20.9 yards per catch - 3 receiving touchdowns
18 kick returns - 492 yards - 27.1 yards per return - 1 touchdown

It's worth noting that Bush's yards per catch stats came back to earth the following 2 seasons, logging 11 and 12 yards per catch for his sophomore and junior seasons respectively.

I also think that Boom could be the most explosive player in the SEC next season (ironic how that works out, considering his name).
This past season, he tied for tops in the SEC in runs for 50+ yards with Nick Chubb with 3 carries for over 50 yards. That's ridiculous considering that Chubb had 3 times as many carries as Boom did.




He's thicker than his freshman season, but listed as the same weight. Thinking that they didn't update it.

Yeah, that's actually a pretty good comparison that I hadn't thought of..and Bush had a lot better players around him..I think once we see the passing game get better this season we'll see the rushing game get better too..the running game & passing game can help each other by one drawing attention away from the other and keeping the defense off balance..if we can get a good passing game going it'll really open up the rushing game and vice versa

 

[Grumpyolddawg]

Agreed in that regard, I accidentally put the NFL. I meant NCAA lol. Put the cart before the horse there, needa edit that.
He has Reggie Bush size, and Reggie Bush was not close to the same in the NFL. Size definitely matters at that level. He'll have to bulk up noticeably if he hopes to have a long, successful career at that level.

Boom isn't small, he is just not very tall, which actually might be an asset when he gets behind the OL. Lots of shorter backs have had very good NFL careers.

 

[screwduke]

Boom isn't small, he is just not very tall, which actually might be an asset when he gets behind the OL. Lots of shorter backs have had very good NFL careers.

Darren Sproles comes to mind.

 

[Kycatspaws]

 

[ctroberts1024]

I like the Reggie Bush one. But a more recent one would be CJ Spiller for Clemson. His senior year he had 1212 rush yards (12 TDs), 503 receiving (4 TDs), 210 on punts (1 TD) and 755 on kick returns (4 TDs). Now, Boom isn't going to return punts but I wouldn't be surprised in the least for him to put up similar numbers in the other categories.

 

[BigBlueFanGA]

I think he has all the tools to be a great college RB and one of the best playmakers in the history of UK & the SEC, but the NFL is a different animal..I don't think he has the size to be an NFL RB (not at this point anyways)..I think his best option for the next level would be as a special teams threat and a pass-catching option if he can develop his receiving skills

Don't think I can agree with you guys on this. Boom is a true sophomore. He will naturally put on anoth 10-15 pounds as he matures. Then he will be 5'9 and around 210. I had in my mind that those numbers have been pretty good in the NFL, then I found this.

http://www.sports-central.org/sports/2011/03/15/does_size_matter_for_running_backs.php

Emmitt was 5'9 and around 210 as well.

 

[Rhavicc]

Don't think I can agree with you guys on this. Boom is a true sophomore. He will naturally put on anoth 10-15 pounds as he matures. Then he will be 5'9 and around 210. I had in my mind that those numbers have been pretty good in the NFL, then I found this.

http://www.sports-central.org/sports/2011/03/15/does_size_matter_for_running_backs.php

Emmitt was 5'9 and around 210 as well.

I think the tools to be great are there, but a lot of things change at that level.

 

[Rhavicc]

I like the Reggie Bush one. But a more recent one would be CJ Spiller for Clemson. His senior year he had 1212 rush yards (12 TDs), 503 receiving (4 TDs), 210 on punts (1 TD) and 755 on kick returns (4 TDs). Now, Boom isn't going to return punts but I wouldn't be surprised in the least for him to put up similar numbers in the other categories.

Hadn't thought of that one. If we get that production from Boom, I'll be ecstatic. I think this up-tempo offense will pay dividends for Boom's numbers as well.

 

[BigBlueFanGA]

I think the tools to be great are there, but a lot of things change at that level.

Yep, I was just referring to his size. It seems that he is actually about perfect in size and will be in a couple of years. The rest is up to him.

 

[jnewc2]

Boom isn't small, he is just not very tall, which actually might be an asset when he gets behind the OL. Lots of shorter backs have had very good NFL careers.

He's not "small" by college standards..not at all, but he would be considered small for a feature running back in the NFL..even if he puts on weight his frame is still small.. if you're going to be the #1 running back in a pro-style offense in the NFL running between the tackles I'd feel more comfortable with a guy like Nick Chubb than I would Boom...that's not a knock on Boom, but those guys just have different strengths.. to be the running back on an NFL team you're going to have to take a whole lot of punishment between the tackles and Boom hasn't shown us that he's that type of runner yet...The shorter backs that have good NFL careers are generally thick with a Ray Rice, Maurice Jones-Drew, Mark Ingram kind of build..Boom's body-type is more Reggie Bush than it is Ray Rice or MJD ..to me Boom has more of an all-purpose type build than an every down between the tackles running back like a Nick Chubb or Derek Henry..Boom could end up being the exception, he's still really young and has a high ceiling but I'd say the odds are somewhat against him at this point..his path to the NFL is more likely by focusing on being that all-purpose back that can catch passes out of the backfield and be split out as a receiver and be used in the punt return and kick return game..I think that's a much more likely path to the NFL than him being an NFL team's power running back

These guys were in the top-10 in rushing last year:

DeMarco Murray: 6'0", 220lbs
Le'Veon Bell: 6'1", 245 lbs
Marshawn Lynch: 5'11", 220lbs
Eddie Lacy: 5'11", 230 lbs
Arian Foster: 6'1", 230 lbs
Jeremy Hill: 6'1", 240 lbs
Lamar Miller: 5'10, 225lbs
Frank Gore: 5'9", 220 lbs

When I think of an NFL running back I think of a guy like Leonard Fournette or Nick Chubb..a guy that could run it between the tackles against an NFL defense 20-30 times a game for 16 games...could Boom do that? It's not impossible, he could always put on a ton of size, but I'd say the odds are against him being that type of back..if Boom made it to the pros as a feature back he would be the exception unless his body starts looking more like Nick Chubb than Reggie Bush..the NFL is just a different animal that spits out college stars like Knowshon Moreno & Reggie Bush

 

[southindycat]

He definitely has all the potential in the world as a 3rd down back and specialist. The beefier guys listed as "leading rushers" are just apples to his orange.

 

[kentucky_wildcat_#1]

I love Boom and always wonder how much more scary this dude would be if he had a better offensive line to run behind. It's no secret ours has struggled the last few years, but maybe our guys have been working hard to get better and actually have improved. We can only hope so. With Boom, we have a guy that is a threat to score every time he touches the ball. If only our bigs could make it easier for Boom, it helps our entire offense. Glad to have this kid playing rb for our wildcats.

 

[Kooky Kats]

Jamal Charles is a good comparison.

 

[Blueathletics]

Forget all the comparisons....All I know is he can take it to the house at ANY time! Explosiveness like we've not seen since Mark Higgs

 

[C1180]

Don't think I can agree with you guys on this. Boom is a true sophomore. He will naturally put on anoth 10-15 pounds as he matures. Then he will be 5'9 and around 210. I had in my mind that those numbers have been pretty good in the NFL, then I found this.

http://www.sports-central.org/sports/2011/03/15/does_size_matter_for_running_backs.php

Emmitt was 5'9 and around 210 as well.

Ill take an Emmitt Smith with 4.3, 40 speed. Emmitt only ran a 4.6, 40. A lot of the NFLs all time great backs have been no bigger than Boom. If he has the moves he can make it in the NFL. The secret to longevity is don't give the defense too many solid hits.

 

[UKwannabe]

I worry about Boom staying healthy. Did he have 2 concussions last season? That's not a promising sign for a part time freshman. As a feature back he's likely to receive more hits. Hate to see a guy get multiple concussions like that.

 

[BigBlueFanGA]

He's not "small" by college standards..not at all, but he would be considered small for a feature running back in the NFL..even if he puts on weight his frame is still small.. if you're going to be the #1 running back in a pro-style offense in the NFL running between the tackles I'd feel more comfortable with a guy like Nick Chubb than I would Boom...that's not a knock on Boom, but those guys just have different strengths.. to be the running back on an NFL team you're going to have to take a whole lot of punishment between the tackles and Boom hasn't shown us that he's that type of runner yet...The shorter backs that have good NFL careers are generally thick with a Ray Rice, Maurice Jones-Drew, Mark Ingram kind of build..Boom's body-type is more Reggie Bush than it is Ray Rice or MJD ..to me Boom has more of an all-purpose type build than an every down between the tackles running back like a Nick Chubb or Derek Henry..Boom could end up being the exception, he's still really young and has a high ceiling but I'd say the odds are somewhat against him at this point..his path to the NFL is more likely by focusing on being that all-purpose back that can catch passes out of the backfield and be split out as a receiver and be used in the punt return and kick return game..I think that's a much more likely path to the NFL than him being an NFL team's power running back

These guys were in the top-10 in rushing last year:

DeMarco Murray: 6'0", 220lbs
Le'Veon Bell: 6'1", 245 lbs
Marshawn Lynch: 5'11", 220lbs
Eddie Lacy: 5'11", 230 lbs
Arian Foster: 6'1", 230 lbs
Jeremy Hill: 6'1", 240 lbs
Lamar Miller: 5'10, 225lbs
Frank Gore: 5'9", 220 lbs

When I think of an NFL running back I think of a guy like Leonard Fournette or Nick Chubb..a guy that could run it between the tackles against an NFL defense 20-30 times a game for 16 games...could Boom do that? It's not impossible, he could always put on a ton of size, but I'd say the odds are against him being that type of back..if Boom made it to the pros as a feature back he would be the exception unless his body starts looking more like Nick Chubb than Reggie Bush..the NFL is just a different animal that spits out college stars like Knowshon Moreno & Reggie Bush

Just curious, did you read the link I provided?

 

[UKWinsAgainYep]

I worry about Boom staying healthy. Did he have 2 concussions last season? That's not a promising sign for a part time freshman. As a feature back he's likely to receive more hits. Hate to see a guy get multiple concussions like that.

This is what worries me the most...Him getting another concussion or injury. I don't think we should give him too many touches because it would probably mean an injury.

Boom is elite. He outran many SEC defensive players laterally, from sideline to sideline. I haven't seen anyone do that since Derrick Locke. And we know the speed Locke had....

 

[Rhavicc]

I worry about Boom staying healthy. Did he have 2 concussions last season? That's not a promising sign for a part time freshman. As a feature back he's likely to receive more hits. Hate to see a guy get multiple concussions like that.

Negative, he had one concussion during the LSU game when he had helmet to helmet contact on the back of his head. The other time he was out was due to suspension.

 

[fballcats76]

I have huge hopes for this guy. Elite level talent and thankful to have him. Big year this year BOOM

 

[Turnerville]

I was impressed with him in our game last year.

 

[Rhavicc]

I was impressed with him in our game last year.

He has terrific ability, but he was the definition of inconsistent. He would have a big game on all even numbered games, and a bad game against all odd numbered games. Some of that was due to lack of playing time, and carries from Neal Brown, some of it was due to him being out of games, but a bit of it was just due to having bad games. Luckily, later in the season, he showed terrific field vision, and a lot of good patience and decision making during his runs. Really carved up some good defenses.

It only does UK favors that he was already named as the starter, and will get the bulk of the carries (per Chad Scott). Would like to see him get close to 18-20 carries per game.

 

[maverick1rw]

Boom goes the dynamite. Love Boom and think he could go down as one of UK's greats.
I can't wait to see him but don't want him to return kicks any more.

 

[Rhavicc]

Boom goes the dynamite. Love Boom and think he could go down as one of UK's greats.
I can't wait to see him but don't want him to return kicks any more.

Needs to return kicks. He gives good field position, and UK needs good field position.

 

[ctroberts1024]

I've never understood the argument of not having your starting RB or WR returning kicks. I want my best players to touch the ball as many times as possible. You can get injured on any play so to not have your best option out there because of this is ridiculous IMO.

 

[Brock28]

An injury is the only thing that will keep Boom from being a flat out star. This kid is special!