It was less than a year ago that Cary Williams was still wearing WU blue, and rocking the competition in the MIAA. Its been fewer than six months since the former Ichabod cornerback was selected by the Tennessee Titans as the 229th pick in the NFL draft.

Williams, a native of Hollywood, Fla., made his way to Washburn in 2005 after spending two seasons at Fordham University, where he recorded 15 tackles and returned nine kickoffs for a total of 177 yards. Williams finished his career at Washburn last season after breaking the single season and career record for interceptions with seven, he also tied the record for longest runback after taking a kickoff back 100 yards for a touchdown against Missouri Southern in 2007. Williams performance made people take notice and earned him numerous accolades including AP Little All-American, All-MIAA and the American Football Coaches Association First Team All-American.

Even with all his success, Williams spent time between mini-camps to workout at Washburn.

“After he was drafted he came back here and continued to train,” said David Trupp, Washburn’s strength and conditioning coach. “He was from Florida, but he came back here to do his work. He felt really good about his performance in the mini-camps, he was in great shape and he worked hard.”

Friends of Williams said that he had contacted them and stressed that he was ready for anything the league could throw at him.

“He said he felt that he was ready to play,” said Washburn quarterback Brandon Walker, a friend of Willams. “He just wanted to get out on the field, get in the game.”

Williams is the second Ichabod player to be drafted during the Schurig era, following former Ichabod defensive tackle Trey Lewis who was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons during the 2007 NFL draft. He is the fifth Ichabod football player in school history to be drafted.