Kentucky linebacker Avery Williamson hasn't enjoyed much a view in his career.
His view from the standings has been from the bottom of the SEC East. His view from the scoreboard? Almost always from behind. But his viewpoint on how to carry himself as a player comes straight from someone who knows: Denver Broncos linebacker Danny Trevathan. Williamson and Trevathan were teammates at UK through 2011, and the Wildcats' primary candidate for the 2014 NFL Draft hasn't forgotten any of the lessons.
"To see that I will have the opportunity next year to go pro, like he did, does motivate me. It is a dream come true for me to see a guy that played next to me has been successful in the NFL right now," Williamson said, according to centralkynews.com. "It is something to look up to. I am proud of him and I am ready hopefully next year to get in there and start making some plays myself."
Williamson is well on his way to another 100-tackle season for the Wildcats, and should reach 300-plus for his career. He ranks third in the SEC in tackles with 64, and finished second the league in 2012 with 135. In his second pro season, Trevathan has emerged as a major contributor in the Broncos' defense, on a pace for 100-plus tackles himself, with three interceptions in seven games this year.
Their careers are alike in even more ways, however.
They are almost the same size, 6-foot-1 and about 240 pounds. Trevathan was a sixth-round pick by Denver in the 2012 draft, and Williamson has been projected as a late-round pick himself.
"He worked hard. He never did give up. He's not that type to give up and I am not either," Williamson said.
Concerns about Williamson's pro potential relate to speed and quickness. Thursday night (ESPN, 7:30 p.m. ET), he'll get a chance to show both against Mississippi State's LaDarius Perkins, who at 195 pounds, is at his best in the open field.
*Follow Chase Goodbread on Twitter **@ChaseGoodbread.*
