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Unmatched Determination

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By BRETT McMURPHY, The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 11, 2007

Updated: 10/11/2007 12:11 am

TAMPA - It wasn't long ago that Benjamin Williams was unknown even to his University of South Florida teammates.

These days, though, it's impossible not to notice Williams, who has emerged from a former walk-on to become the leading rusher for the No. 5 team in the country. It's also become harder to ignore the junior off the field.

'He's always coming in the locker room singing at the top of his lungs, random songs, like the Temptations,' senior offensive tackle Walt Walker said. 'He's probably in there singing right now. It's loud, shower-like singing.'

Added senior center Nick Capogna: 'I get a full dose of Ben every day. He brings a lot of energy.'

Just four years ago, Williams was much more quiet and reserved. Coming out of Lake Wales High, it would be an exaggeration to call Williams an afterthought to college recruiters - he wasn't thought of at all by any Division I schools.

'The only offers I had were to some Division III schools and NAIA schools,' said Williams, who came to USF as a student in the fall of 2004.

By the spring, Williams wanted to walk on. USF coach Jim Leavitt gets hundreds of requests from 5-foot-7 high school stars wanting to walk on, but former USF players Chad Barnhardt and Jason Butler, who coached Williams at Lake Wales, convinced Leavitt to give Williams a chance.

'I thought he wasn't real tall, wasn't real, real fast, but he worked so dang hard and he just kept working,' Leavitt said. 'I didn't know if he was going to do this or that, but you talk about persistence and perseverance, that is a great word for that young man, because he has earned everything he's received.'

Once on the team, Williams hardly spoke, former USF quarterback Pat Julmiste said.

'He was real quiet back then, you couldn't get a peep out of him,' said Julmiste, who said he nicknamed Williams 'Barbecue' because his skin was 'so black.'

'It's a lot to be a walk-on at South Florida, you really have to impress,' Julmiste said. 'Even though he started at the bottom, he didn't get down.'

Because of his relentless work ethic, Barbecue has been the pits for opposing defenses.

'What sets him apart is his work ethic, desire and heart,' USF running backs coach Carl Franks said. 'He pays attention, gets in the weight room. He has made himself extremely strong and he's a lot quicker. He's as fast as I've ever seen him.

'A former walk-on picked out of nowhere. He is easily one of the best stories in college football.'

Last year, Williams led USF's running backs with 436 yards and was named MVP of the Papajohns.com Bowl. A month later, Leavitt put him on scholarship.

'His determination is unmatched,' Barnhardt said. 'A lot of guys are faster, a lot of guys are bigger, but there are not many that work as hard or want it as much.'

Even after being put on scholarship last year, Williams faced more obstacles.

USF signed highly touted freshmen Mike Ford and Jamar Taylor hoping to upgrade the position.

'Some people might find issues with that, but not Ben,' Walker said. 'If someone is out there to help our team win, he's there with open arms. That speaks to his character.'

Despite the increased competition, Williams has remained USF's starter - and leading rusher - and last week had a career-high 186 yards against Florida Atlantic that included a school-record four rushing TDs.

His career-long 54-yard TD run, which began with a 360-degree spin move followed by at least two broken tackles, sparked the Bulls.

'After that run, I told him, 'I didn't know you had that much juice in you, Barbecue, what's going on?'' Walker said.

A weight room maniac, the 5-7 Williams weighs 200 pounds, and his thighs resemble tree trunks. He has a maximum squat of 735 pounds and has lowered his 40 time to 4.5.

'When I walked on I didn't go in thinking I wasn't going to make the team,' Williams said. 'I just wanted to do anything I could to help the team. Just being patient and waiting for my chance.

'I focus on some of my weaknesses and work to get better to play at a championship level. Maybe my vision, my speed, I'm never satisfied the way I am. I always want to get better. I don't want to put limits on myself.'

Reporter Brett McMurphy can be reached at (813) 259-7928 or bmcmurphy@tampatrib.com.

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