Tag: Dee Williams

Seahawks should have return specialists available vs. Cardinals

Seahawks should have return specialists available vs. Cardinals

The Seattle Seahawks are facing a critical divisional game versus the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. There are legitimate availability questions surrounding both return specialists, Dee Williams and Laviska Shenault Jr. Thankfully, head coach Mike Macdonald recently said that both playmakers could be available on Sunday. Williams and Shenault Jr. are considered day to day.

Williams exited Sunday’s Week 11 victory over the San Francisco 49ers with an ankle injury. Seattle’s medical team swiftly ruled Williams out. That’s typically a bad sign, but the former University of Tennessee standout appears to have avoided a major setback.

Shenault is nursing an oblique injury. He did not return any kickoffs against the 49ers. Third-string running back Kenny McIntosh handled kickoff duties, returning one attempt for 15 yards. The Seahawks also didn’t return any punts in Week 11.

Shenault has returned 14 kicks this campaign for 449 yards. He’s averaging an explosive 32.1 yards per return, including a 97-yard touchdown. Shenault is among the best kickoff returners in the league.

Williams has returned 13 punts this season for 96 yards. He’s been sure-handed, averaging 7.4 yards per punt return. Williams has called 16 fair catches.

The Seahawks would prefer to have both return specialists available versus the Cardinals. Shenault and Williams are potential game changers. Macdonald will discuss their game-day designations on Friday.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Officials, review botch call on fumbled punt in 49ers’ win over Seahawks

A call on a punt return was botched because the NFL command center did not have Amazon’s enhanced replay

The punt was slightly confusing because Chris Conley was blocked into the Seattle return man, Dee Williams.

What seemed obvious to the naked eye and anyone watching the San Francisco 49ers’ 36-24 win over the Seahawks on Thursday was that the punt had been touched by Seattle’s return man and was recovered by the 49ers.

The on-field officials picked up the flag and said Conley had been blocked into the returner, Williams.

That led to another flag, the red challenge one thrown by Kyle Shanahan.

For sure, the review booth would make the correct call and give the football to the 49ers.

It didn’t happen as the ref said the call stood.

Later on during the game, Terry McAulay on the Amazon broadcast said he spoke to Walt Anderson in the command center. Anderson told McAulay the command center only had the live feed to review and not the enhanced version of the play that showed the football touching Williams before a clear recovery by the 49ers.

Adding insult to misery, the 49ers were also charged for a timeout because the play stood upon review.

Dee Williams declares for 2024 NFL draft

Dee Williams declares for the 2024 NFL draft.

Senior defensive back, returner and wide receiver Dee Williams declared for the 2024 NFL draft on Wednesday.

“I am grateful to announce that I am officially declaring for the 2024 NFL draft,” Williams announced.

The 5-foot-11, 194-pound Williams appeared in 22 games for the Vols from 2022-23. He recorded seven tackles, one forced fumble, two receptions, 10 receiving yards, 35 punt returns, 540 punt return yards, two punt return touchdowns, 13 kick returns and 274 kick return yards.

Williams transferred to Tennessee from East Central Community College in Decatur, Mississippi.

The 2024 NFL draft will take place April 25-27 around Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza in Detroit, Michigan.

PHOTOS: Former Vols at the NFL draft through the years

Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

Dee Williams named to SEC Community Service Team

Tennessee’s Dee Williams named to SEC Community Service Team..

Tennessee senior Dee Williams was named to the SEC Football Community Service Team on Wednesday.

The conference names a community service team in all of its 21 league-sponsored sports. The team recognizes a player from each school who gives back to their community through superior community service efforts.

Williams spent last summer working as a volunteer at Knoxville’s Emerald Academy, a K-8 charter college preparatory school, three to four times per week.

Williams mentored local youth and engaged in activities at the Emerald Academy’s Summer Institute program.

He also volunteered at the Knoxville Children’s Theatre as part of Tennessee’s Day of Service. Williams also made routine visits to East Tennessee Children’s Hospital and helped raise awareness for Second Harvest Food Bank through his social media platforms.

Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

Josh Heupel discusses Dee Williams playing on offense

Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel discusses Dee Williams playing on offense.

Senior defensive back and returner Dee Williams appeared on offense in Tennessee’s, 59-3, win versus UConn on Saturday.

Williams recorded his first reception with the Vols, totaling 11 yards.

Third-year Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel discussed Williams playing on offense against UConn.

“Planned on playing him last week, too,” Heupel said. “Just the way things unfolded, some of the structure stuff, weren’t prepared to get him in the game in the situations that we were in. He’s continued to grow and has a real grasp of a lot of what we’re doing offensively. The opportunity was there this week to play him and anticipate doing that forward, too.”

Williams has appeared in 18 games at Tennessee from 2022-23, totaling 168 kick return yards, 501 punt return yards, two punt return touchdowns, six tackles, one forced fumble and 11 receiving yards.

He transferred to Tennessee from East Central Community College ahead of the 2022 season.

PHOTOS: Tennessee football wears Summitt Blue against UConn

Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

Josh Heupel ‘excited’ for James Pearce Jr., Dee Williams earning SEC honors

Josh Heupel excited for James Pearce Jr. and Dee Williams earning SEC honors.

Sophomore James Pearce Jr. earned SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week honors, while Dee Williams was named SEC Special Teams Player of the Week after Tennessee’s, 20-13, win versus Texas A&M in Week 7.

Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel discussed Pearce Jr. and Williams earned SEC honors.

“Excited for both of those guys, because they continue to grow in how they prepare,” Heupel said. “They continue to grow in their understanding of what we’re doing and are playing their best football right know. They’re two guys that continue to invest and grow, and that’s why they’re playing the way they are. I’m extremely proud of those guys.”

Pearce Jr. recorded three tackles, two tackles for a loss, one sack and five quarterback hurries versus the Aggies.

Williams returned a 39-yard punt for a touchdown in the contest. He also totaled 19 yards on one kick return.

PHOTOS: Tennessee defeats Texas A&M in front of Checker Neyland

Two Vols earn SEC weekly honors after Texas A&M win

Two Vols earn SEC weekly honors after Texas A&M win.

Two Tennessee student-athletes earned Southeastern Conference weekly honors following the Vols’, 20-13, win against Texas A&M.

Sophomore defensive lineman James Pearce Jr. earned SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week honors for a second time in as many games, while return specialist Dee Williams was named SEC Special Teams Player of the Week.

Pearce Jr. recorded three tackles, two tackles for a loss, one sack and five quarterback hurries versus the Aggies.

Williams returned a 39-yard punt for a touchdown in the contest. He also totaled 19 yards on one kick return.

PHOTOS: Tennessee defeats Texas A&M in front of Checker Neyland

Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

Mike Ekeler discusses Dee Williams’ ability in Vols’ return game

Mike Ekeler discusses Dee Williams’ ability in Tennessee’s return game.

Tennessee practiced for the 14th time during fall training camp on Saturday at Haslam Field.

Third-year special teams coordinator and outside linebackers coach Mike Ekeler met with media following practice. Ekeler discussed Dee Williams’ ability in Tennessee’s return game.

“He is confident,” Ekeler said. “He understands his role. He is going to have the opportunity to be the best return guy in the country. He has earned that, and he has the instincts, he has the ability, and it’s like an offense. When you have a great running back, your offensive line blocks a little bit harder. They know all they have to do is just give you a crease, and that’s what those guys understand on our return units. All they have to do is just get it started and he will do the rest.

“The guy is a real one, but we have a bunch of them too now. Squirrel White, he is real. Cam Seldon, he is real. (Dylan) Sampson, he is real. We have a bunch of those guys, which we should.”

Williams enters his second season at Tennessee in 2023. The 5-foot-11, 194-pound senior appeared in nine games for the Vols in 2023, recording 281 punt return yards, one punt return touchdown and 17 kick return yards.

Williams transferred to Tennessee from East Central Community College.

Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

Fall camp: Josh Heupel discusses who stands out in Vols’ kick, punt return game

Fall camp: Josh Heupel discusses who stands out in Vols’ kick, punt return game

Tennessee kicked off fall training camp Monday at Haslam Field under second-year head coach Josh Heupel.

Ahead of Tennessee’s first practice during fall training camp, Heupel discussed who stands out as potential candidates in the Vols’ kick and punt return game.

“Dee Williams is somebody that’s new to our roster,” Heupel said. “If you’re asking just about new guys, I think Dee is a guy that is a perfect example of that. Squirrel White is somebody that we feel like has the ability to catch it, but also be dynamic with the ball in his hands. Dylan Sampson is a young guy that we feel like has the opportunity to push and compete for some of that. Feel like all of those guys have great tracking skills, but also have the ability to make explosive plays.

“You look at what Velus (Jones Jr.) was able to bring to our football team a year ago, big plays in the return game, setup scores or create scores. Love what we’re doing with Coach Ek (Mike Ekeler) in developing a group of core individuals, but really our entire roster through the special teams part of it. Looking forward to seeing a bunch of guys compete and earn the opportunity to play. That’s in the return game, but it’s also guys that are setting up those returns.”

[vertical-gallery id=67126]

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbz9dkec01s6y18 player_id=none image=https://volswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

Dee Williams signs with Tennessee

Dee Williams signs with the Vols.

The football early signing period is taking place Dec. 15-17 for the 2022 recruiting class.

Dee Williams has signed with Tennessee.

The 2022 signing period is the first full class under head coach Josh Heupel.

The Vols were 7-5 (4-4 SEC) in 2021 under Heupel. Tennessee will play in the TransPerfect Music City Bowl against Purdue on Dec. 30 (3 p.m. EST, ESPN).

2022 early signing period: Tracker for Vols’ signees

Dee Williams

Tennessee’s 2022 football commitment tracker

Big board: Tennessee’s 2022 football recruiting class by position

Follow us at @VolsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of University of Tennessee athletics.

[vertical-gallery id=36044]