Keiland Williams, RB

Williams has played the good soldier role for the Tigers throughout his career. Even though many scouts felt that he was the team's best running back prospect, he was forced to share the rushing load with a wealth of talent that LSU had in their backfield. He started only three games during his career, but amassed 1,699 yards and 17 touchdowns, averaging 5.68 yards per carry.

Williams also provided the team with a versatile performer, averaging 9.75 yards as a receiver while also filling in capably as a kickoff returner, averaging 20.67 yards in 24 opportunities on special teams. Still, he was never a featured back, thanks to the relentless recruiting by the coaches that saw the talented youngster play in a backfield that also included Jacob Hester, Alley Broussard, Justin Vincent, Charles Scott and Trindon Holiday during Williams' four years playing for the Tigers.

Williams starred for three seasons at Northside High School. As a junior, he rushed for more than 2,500 yards and 30 touchdowns, earning Class 4A Offensive MVP honors in 2004. He was rated as the top running back in the state of Louisiana and ranked third in the nation at the running back position by Scout.com.

Due to academics, Williams enrolled at Hargrave Military Academy in 2005, playing for renowned head coach Robert Prunty. He was arguably the top prep school prospect for the Class of 2006, as he became the first running back in school history to rush for more than 1,000 yards, finishing the year with 160 carries for 1,325 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Louisiana State secured Williams' services for the 2006 season. Despite seeing action in just nine games, he ranked second on the team with 435 yards and five touchdowns on 76 carries (5.72 ypc). He appeared as a reserve tailback in all 14 games in 2007, picking up 478 yards on 70 attempts (6.83 ypc). He also pulled down nine passes for 113 yards and a score while averaging 19.9 yards on 10 kickoff returns.

Williams was again relegated to reserve duties in 2008, but that did not prevent him from amassing 417 yards on 83 carries (5.02 ypc) with a pair of scores. Out of the backfield, he caught 11 passes for 124 yards and a touchdown, as he also completed a pass for a 22-yard score and averaged 22.3 yards on thirteen kickoff returns.

As a senior, Williams replaced an injured Charles Scott as the Tigers' starting tailback for two late-season games, but also suffered a left ankle fracture vs. Mississippi State that ended his career two games short of its intended conclusion. He rushed 70 times for 368 yards (5.26 ypc) and four touchdowns.

Positives: Has a well-built frame with defined arm muscles, thick thighs and calves, broad shoulders and tight waist and hips … Built for both power and speed, as he is tough to bring down in isolated situations … Runs with good body lean and easily powers through arm tackles … Outstanding blocker who keeps his head on a swivel and shows good aggression and hand placement to gain advantage when taking on the bull rush or blitz … Patient runner who follows blocks well and is very conscious of ball security … Effective receiver out of the backfield and has a strong arm for the option pass … While built like a downhill runner, he is light on his feet and has a good burst past second level defenders, along with the second gear to take the ball to the house … Even though he's a big back, he is more effective bouncing wide, as he gets to top speed in a hurry … Gets into stride quickly coming out of his stance, showing the ability to pick and slide effortlessly through the holes … Has made steady improvement with his field vision and shows the short burst and strong leg drive needed to break tackles running up the middle … Runs with above average balance and body control, showing the body lean and quickness to squeeze through the smaller rush lanes … Does a good job of squaring up and getting up field when bouncing wide … More quick than fast, but runs at a low pad level to accelerate up the hole … Has the ability to make the initial tackler miss, as he is crisp when cutting back and redirecting … Displays good hand/eye coordination and body control tracking the ball in flight … Has become an effective route runner who breaks quickly in and out of his cuts … Has the natural hand-catching ability to secure the ball away from the body's frame … Shows good aggression and vision as a cut blocker, doing a nice job of locating and neutralizing linebackers up field … Generates a strong hand punch and will not hesitate to face up to the larger pass rushers when working in pass protection.

Negatives: More quick than fast, lacking the explosion to win many long distance foot races, but compensates by taking good angles and showing above average cutting ability to redirect when breaking to daylight … Relied more on his instincts than an understanding of blocking schemes early in his career, but has made strides to improve in this area … Shows steady acceleration, but needs to recognize hole development better, as he will sometimes runs into the pile working in-line and will hesitate when his initial hole becomes clogged … Does not do a great job of locating the cutback lanes and will get a bit antsy trying to break the perfect run, doing too much dancing in the holes when he should just lower his weight, square his shoulders and attack the pile.

Compares To: RYAN GRANT, Green Bay -- Williams has been the good soldier at LSU, where he had to share the ball carrying duties with a slew of other running backs, yet never complained about the staff not using him to the best of his ability. He was actually the Tigers' best running back, looking more physical as an inside runner than the more heralded Charles Scott. With teams utilizing a 1-2 punch at tailback to keep their runners fresh, somebody could find a late-round steal in the Ryan Grant mold.

--Dave-Te' Thomas

Started just three of the 47 games he appeared in, but is the team's leading active rusher with a 5.68-yard average, totaling 1,699 yards with 17 touchdowns on 299 carries … Added 273 yards and two scores on 28 catches (9.75 ypc) and completed 1-of-2 passes for a 22-yard touchdown … Returned 24 kickoffs for 496 yards (20.7 avg) … Became the first LSU tailback since Kevin Faulk in 1996 (vs. Mississippi State) to throw a touchdown pass, when he was successful on a 22-yard toss in 2008 vs. Auburn.

Started the final two games he appeared in, playing in the team's first 11 contests before suffering a left ankle fracture in the fourth vs. Mississippi, missing the final two contests after undergoing surgery … Finished second on the team for the fourth-straight season, carrying 70 times for 368 yards (5.26 ypc) and four touchdowns … Also caught four passes for 22 yards (5.5 avg), adding 7 yards on a kickoff return.

Despite playing in all 13 games as a reserve, Williams finished second on the team with 417 yards and two touchdowns on 83 carries (5.02 ypc) … Led all LSU running backs with 11 receptions for 124 yards (11.27 ypc) and one score … One of the Tigers' primary kick returners who ranked second on the squad in kick return yardage with 13 returns for 290 yards (22.3 avg.) … Also completed 1-of-2 pass attempts for a 22-yard touchdown.

Played in all 14 games with no starts, but still ranked second on the squad with 70 carries for 478 yards (6.83 ypc) and a career-best six touchdowns … Gained 113 yards with a score on nine receptions (12.56 ypc) … Returned 10 kickoffs for 199 yards (19.9 avg).

Appeared in nine games, starting one contest … The freshman still ranked second on the team with 436 yards and five touchdowns on 76 attempts (5.72 ypc) … Also made four catches for 14 yards.

PREP SCHOOL

Due to academics, Williams enrolled at Hargrave Military Academy in 2005, playing for renowned head coach, Robert Prunty … Rated the top prep school prospect for the Class of 2006, as he became the first running back in school history to rush for more than 1,000 yards, finishing the year with 160 carries for 1,325 yards and 12 touchdowns.

2009 Season: Suffered a left ankle fracture in the fourth quarter vs. Mississippi (11/14), undergoing surgery that would sideline him for the final two games.

Campus: 4.52 in the 40-yard dash … 1.51 10-yard dash … 2.64 20-yard dash … 4.21 20-yard shuttle … 6.99 three-cone drill … 33-inch vertical jump … Bench pressed 225 pounds 16 times … 30-inch arm length … 8 3/4-inch hands.

Williams starred for three seasons at Northside (Lafayette, La.) High School … As a junior, he rushed for more than 2,500 yards and 30 touchdowns, earning Class 4A Offensive MVP honors in 2004 … Rated as the top running back in the state of Louisiana and ranked third in the nation at the running back position by Scout.com.

Communication Studies major … Son of Clarissa Toliver … Born Keiland Terrell Williams on 8/14/86 in Lafayette, Louisiana.