- All-SEC second team by CollegeSportsMadness.com (2012) - All-SEC third team by Phil Steele's College Football (2012)
Returning starter at middle linebacker ... Turned in a very productive season in his first year as a regular ... Finished second in the Southeastern Conference in tackles and received all-conference honors ... Seventh nationally in tackles ... Solid all-around player with a good instinct for finding the ball ... Has ability to make plays in space ... Has played in 37 games, starting 12.
2012 (Junior): Started all 12 games ... Played well throughout the season, finishing second in the SEC with 135 tackles ... Placed seventh nationally in total tackles ... Second-team All-SEC by CollegeSportsMadness.com and third-team all-league by Phil Steele's College Football ... Had eight double-figure tackle performances, topped by a career-high 20 stops vs. Vanderbilt ... Had a streak of four games with at least 13 tackles in each game, the first UK player to do so since Randy Holleran in 1990 ... Additional contributions during the season included 4.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, four pass breakups, two fumbles caused and a fumble recovery ... Snagged an interception against WKU.
2011 (Sophomore): Played in all 12 games ... Made 49 tackles, an impressive total for someone who didn't start any games ... Played consistently, with at least two tackles in every game ... Had career-best seven tackles in win over Jacksonville State ... Had an interception vs. Florida ... Caused a fumble at South Carolina.
2010 (Freshman): Played in all 13 games, helping give the Wildcats depth at middle linebacker ... Totaled 10 tackles and one pass breakup.
High School: First-team all-state linebacker in Class AAA as tabbed by the Tennessee Sports Writers Association ... West Tennessee Player of the Year as a senior by the Jackson Sun ... Led Milan HS to consecutive 14-1 records as a junior and senior, losing only in the state championship finals each year to perennial power Alcoa HS ... Made 125 tackles with one interception during the regular season in his senior year ... Also rushed for 416 yards and seven touchdowns at fullback ... Collected 119 tackles as a junior, including 21 for loss ... Set a Tennessee state championship game record with 22 tackles in the title contest ... Region Defensive Player of the Year as a junior and senior ... One of the top-15 players in Tennessee by Rivals.com ... Played in the Tennessee East-West All-Star Game following his senior season ... Was named the Defensive Most Valuable Player for the winning West team ... Coached by Jeff Morris ... "Avery was a self-made person whose hard work made him into an impact player," Morris said. "His work ethic and character were perfect." ... Was named the Outstanding Senior of his graduating class, recognizing academics, character and athletics ... Member of the honor-student club and the Spanish Club.
Personal: Born in Cleveland, Ohio ... Son of Henry and Jacinca Williamson ... Plans a major in integrated strategic communications.
Community Cats: Participated in the Big Blue U Move-In (2011), the God's Pantry project, Read Across America and volunteered for the "Be the Match" bone marrow drive (2012).
Avery Says ... My nickname is: Wayne Brady ... When I played football as a kid, I pretended I was: myself because I rarely watched football ... Other than the NFL, my dream job is: head of a marketing company selling sports gear ... If I could talk to anyone on Skype it would be: God ... The one thing I like most about football is: winning games ... My hidden talent is: fishing ... Something people might not know about me is: that I can actually cook a great omelet.
