June 18, 2007
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NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A pair of highly regarded senior Vanderbilt standouts, offensive tackle Chris Williams and linebacker Jonathan Goff, have been named to preseason watchlists for prestigious college football awards.
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Williams, a two-year offensive line starter from Glynn, La., was added to the Outland Trophy preseason watchlist on Monday. Goff, a three-year defensive starter from Lynn, Mass., is under consideration for the Bronko Nagurski Award. Final watchlists for both awards were released Monday by the Football Writers Association of America.
Two Vanderbilt players are up for the Outland and Nagurski awards for the second time in recent years. In 2004, offensive tackle Justin Geisinger was named to the Outland watchlist while linebacker Moses Osemwegie was considered for the Nagurski award. In 2006, Commodore offensive tackle Brian Stamper also was named to the Outland watchlist.
Head Coach Bobby Johnson was pleased that Williams and Goff, both co-captains for the 2007 season with senior defensive tackle Theo Horrocks, received preseason recognition.
“That’s two very deserving young men,” Johnson said. “Both Chris and Jonathan have given a great deal of themselves to become the players they are today. I think those guys rank with the very best in the (Southeastern) conference and among the nation. I think Vanderbilt fans can expect great things from both of these guys.”
Since arriving on campus as an under-sized line prospect, Williams has developed into one of the most physical and talented offensive linemen in recent Vanderbilt history. Today, he stands 6-6 and weighs 75 pounds more than when he came to Nashville as a true freshman.
Williams’ position coach, Robbie Caldwell, says the future is unlimited for his pupil, potentially one of five senior starters on the Vanderbilt offensive line this year. “You’re talking about a guy with tremendous upside,” Caldwell said. “Chris has developed his body to the point where he weighs 320 pounds, yet still has the same quickness he had when he got here.
“I think Chris will be a much more physical and confident player this year. He’s a very coachable young man, and has outstanding football knowledge for a lineman. He has a superb understanding of what we want to accomplish,” Caldwell added.
Williams, who started at guard as a sophomore, was named second team All-SEC last year by the league coaches. He got stronger as the season endured, and did not allow a quarterback sack from his opposing defender in the final 11 games.
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Goff has developed into an elite SEC defensive presence since concluding a stellar high school career in suburban Boston. Last year, Goff ranked among the league leaders in several defensive categories, and concluded the campaign with a second team All-SEC selection by the coaches.
Goff, a two-year captain for the Commodores, enters his final season among the SEC’s active career leaders in tackles. He ranks third, behind only Kentucky linebacker Wesley Woodyard and Tennessee safety Jonathan Hefney, with 194 career total tackles and 141 career solo tackles. He enters the 2007 campaign having started 28 consecutive games, the most of any current Commodore.
“Jonathan has been tremendous in every area. He’s the ideal student-athlete, a young man who works extremely hard to be as good as he can on and off the field,” the Commodore head coach said. “As a football player, Jonathan is a really physical, athletic guy. He’s become one of the nation’s top inside linebacker.”
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