Countdown to Kickoff: 72 days - #72 Vince Williams

It's now 72 days until kickoff of Catamount football at Western Carolina's E.J. Whitmire Stadium. The Catamounts open the season on Thursday, August 30, 2012 against Mars Hill College.

To help pass those long summer days until football season starts, and hopefully get the Catamount faithful more excited about the upcoming season, we'll continue the 100 day football countdown.

#72 Vince Williams 


Class: RS Junior
Hometown: Edina, Minn.
High School: Edina HS
Height / Weight: 6-5 / 270
Position: OL




2011 (Redshirt Sophomore): Started all 10 games in which he saw action along the offensive line at left guard ... Was sidelined, missing the Furman game with a back injury ... Credited with one tackle coming following a turnover against Wofford.

2010 (Redshirt Freshman): Played in five games including twice starting along the offensive line ... Made his collegiate debut with his first career start at right tackle in the home game against Tusculum ... Saw action in four-consecutive games at the conclusion of the season including starting at left guard in the season finale at Elon.

2009 (Freshman): Redshirted.

Prior to Western: Was a two-year varsity letter-winner at Edina HS for head coach Kim Nelson ... Helped Edina go 16-4 over his final two seasons as a prep, including a 10-1 record and conference championship as a junior ... Named All-Classic Lake Conference as a senior, while also tallying team "Best Offensive Lineman" accolades ... Achieved all-conference in baseball his senior year in high school ... Was also a starting right fielder on a team that took third in the state in American Legion baseball his junior year ... Additionally played basketball through his sophomore year of high school.

Personal: Full name is Vincent Wayne Williams ... Is the son of Thomas Williams and Gail Hayden, and is the youngest of five siblings ... His grandfather, Red Williams, was a four-year football letter winner and team captain at Minnesota from 1942-45; His uncle, John Rajala, was a defensive end for the Gophers from 1963-65; and his father, Thomas, played collegiate hockey at Minnesota from 1967-71 ... During the winter, Vince ran the warming house for his community outdoor ice rink. Courtesy WCU Sports