40  Avery Williamson
	Class: Sophomore Hometown: Milan, Tenn. High School: Milan Height / Weight: 6-1 / 229 Position: Linebacker Experience: 1L

Enters preseason practice as the backup middle linebacker behind senior Ronnie Sneed ... Had the maturity and ability to earn playing time as a true freshman ... His ability to make plays in space helped him see playing time on special teams.

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 ... Currently enrolled in undergraduate studies.

Avery says ... When I played football as a kid, I pretended I was: myself because I rarely watched football ... If I could talk to anyone on Skype it would be: God ... The one thing I like most about football is: coming out of the tunnel before games ... Something people might not know about me is: that I can actually cook a great omelet ... What I like about my position coach, Chuck Smith, is: he cares more than about just football.