College football

Got a minute? Carlton Williams, USF free safety

By GREG AUMAN
Published September 7, 2005

Coach Jim Leavitt talked about some of the younger players Saturday having eyes so big they looked like moons. He wasn't talking about you, was he?

After the game started, it was everything I thought, just 11 on the field. But when I first got out there, my eyes were a little big. A little nervous, a little shaky. It's a lot faster than high school.

You were a late addition to the recruiting class last fall, but you've come a long way. How exciting was it to get to start in your first college game?

I loved it. Growing up, playing football, you always dream and picture yourself being in a position like that. Just to be playing for a major college program, I was astonished. At the same time, I felt like I worked hard enough to be there.

You're close friends with receiver Cedric Hill, who played with you in Valdosta, Ga., and joined the team in January. How much recruiting did you do to get him here after he had originally signed with Miami?

I actually had talked Ced out of trying to go to Miami before, but he didn't want to listen at first. To have somebody I grew up with, my whole entire life, to come play football with me, you really can't ask for nothing better. It's like having a brother here.

[Last modified September 7, 2005, 01:02:19]