By Vince Ferrara / @VinceSports
One-time Vols WR Preston Williams, undrafted rookie free agent out of Colorado State, is a part of the Miami Dolphins extended roster this off-season. He’s joined by another rookie who started his career at UT and ended it elsewhere, Dewayne Hendrix from Pitt.
The former prized 5-star signee at UT under Butch Jones, Williams, met with the media this afternoon (5/11/19.) Here’s that exchange followed by what Dolphins head coach Brian Flores said about Williams.
*WR Preston Williams*
(If you had gone to the Florida, Florida State or Miami out of high school. Which one would you have chosen and why?) – “I didn’t have an offer from Miami so probably Florida State.”
(You didn’t have an offer from Miami?) – “I didn’t.”
(Who was the coach at the time at FSU, Jimbo Fisher?) – “Yes, Jimbo.”
(I watched the Arkansas tape, you killed them. They are an SEC school. How did that bolster your confidence about how well you can play?) – “I always had confidence. I played at Tennessee too. So playing Arkansas, I had played them before. I already knew what to expect.”
(When we get the chance to watch you over the next few months, what are we going to see? What do you feel are your strengths on the field?) – “I’m just working. I’m trying to learn from everybody, so I can pick up a lot of stuff. A little bit of everything that I’m trying to perfect as a receiver.”
(At one point last year, Mel Kiper said that you had first-round talent. Why do you think you weren’t drafted?) – “Things happened in the past. I’m not complaining about it. I’m just moving forward. The past is behind me.”
(What was draft day like for you?) – “It was pretty good. My agent told me to expect anything on draft day, so I kept it real cool.”
(Address this opportunity that you have with the Miami Dolphins that they gave you. Although you were undrafted, you’re still here.) – “The coaches believed in me. They gave me an opportunity. I’m just here to work hard and show them what I can do.”
(Who was one of your favorite NFL receivers?) – “I like all receivers. I try to learn from everybody’s game.”
(Whose body type do you think you’re like? Is there somebody you tried to watch?) – “I used to watch Randy Moss growing up. I’m a big fan.”
(What did you think about QB Malik Rosier and some of the passes he was throwing to you this weekend?) – “He was pretty accurate. He’s a good quarterback. I like working with him. One of these days I’m going to try to throw after practice with him.”
(What’s something that you’ve learned from your off-field stuff that has made you a better person?) – “You have to be a professional on the field and off the field. I just try to stay clean and do what I’m supposed to do.”
(When the Dolphins asked you about what happened when you got in trouble – the shoving and restraining, and violation of the protection order – what did you tell them? How did you explain what happened?) – “I just told them the honest truth. I kept it real with them. At the end of the day, that’s all you can do.”
(Do you think that you would’ve been drafted if not for the off-field stuff?) – “Probably.”
(How realistic do you think it is to make this football team?) – “I don’t know. I’m just working every day and trying to do what everybody is telling me. It’s in the blue so I’m just working.”
(It’s only been two days but how do you think you did out on the field?) – “I feel like I’m progressing. I’m getting better every day.”
*Dolphins Head Coach Brian Flores*
(WR Preston Williams from Colorado State, he looks the part but what strengths did you guys identify of his?) – “He’s a talented player. He’s got good size, good speed (and) he catches the ball well. (He’s been) smart in the one day that he’s been here. He’s got a long way to go like all of the rest of the rookies; but he’s off to a good start and we’ll see how he develops.”
-Miami Dolphins PR
There are currently (very fluid situation) 10 players that either started at UT and finished their college careers at another school or have local ties to the Knoxville area without playing at the University of Tennessee. That list is below.
They join the 38 VFLs in the NFL. Check back here next week after rookie minicamps are completed and again often for the latest list.
Knoxville Area Players/Finished College Elsewhere (10) x = rookie
Dallas Cowboys
Randall Cobb (18) WR *Alcoa HS/Kentucky (2nd team WR)
Chris Jones (6) P *Carson-Newman (starting P/H)
Denver Broncos
Venzell Boulware (–) OL *Tennessee/Miami (4th team G/C)-x
Los Angeles Chargers
Daniel Helm (–) TE *Tennessee/Duke (6th team TE)-x
Miami Dolphins
Preston Williams (82) WR *Tennessee/Colorado State (3rd team WR)-x
Dewayne Hendrix (73) DE *Tennessee/Pittsburgh (3rd team DE)-x
Minnesota Vikings
Harrison Smith (22) S *Catholic HS/Notre Dame (starting FS)
Oakland Raiders
Nathan Peterman (2) QB *Tennessee/Pittsburgh (3rd team QB)
Philadelphia Eagles
Dorren Miller (84) WR *Carson-Newman (4th team WR)
San Francisco 49ers
Jalen Hurd (17) WR *Tennessee/Baylor (2nd team WR)
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