KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Preston Williams came to Tennessee as a big-time recruit with a bright future with the Big Orange.

What the Hampton, Ga., native did not envision, and what the majority did not expect after his arrival last fall, was that Williams was largely a non-factor in 2015.

But it wasn’t necessarily Williams’ fault.

After being placed on an indefinite leave from the UT football team due to the NCAA flagging his high school ACT test score, Williams had to wait to practice with his new team. He rejoined the team Aug. 27, just days before the Sept. 5 opener.

Credit his determination and hard work, alongside the Tennessee coaching staff getting Williams game-ready in a short amount of time to play in the first game against Bowling Green.

“Preston did not have a training camp last year,” wide receivers coach Zach Azzanni told Saturday Down South. “He had two practices before Bowling Green and we threw him in there for four plays.”

Two games later, Williams reeled in his first and second career touchdown receptions against Western Carolina, becoming the first Vol since Justin Hunter in 2010 to have two receiving touchdowns in a game as a freshman.

But the 6-foot-4 freshman battled hamstring issues going forward.

Jan 1, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Preston Williams (7) reaches for a pass against the Northwestern Wildcats in the second half at the 2016 Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium. Tennessee defeated Northwestern 45-6. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

He had two catches against Georgia but missed the Alabama, Kentucky, South Carolina and North Texas games and did not see the field again until Nov. 21 at Missouri.

“He got hurt for five games,” Azzanni said. “When you don’t go through a spring ball of 15 hard practices and hard practices in fall training camp, you really don’t know how to play the game at this level. So to all of those who placed expectations on him last year were unfair, but he had to play because of our numbers and injury situations.

Azzanni said Williams has already practiced more for this season than he did all of last season.

Williams has looked good in fall camp – good enough in which his season total of seven receptions for 158 yards and two touchdowns in only eight games is a distant memory.

Azzanni has noticed the crisp routes, the sweat, the attention to detail.

“He’s put a lot of time into it and it’s showing in practice,” he said. “It’s neat to see the fruits of his labor and now he wants more.

“I’m really excited to see him now when we have him full strength after a full training camp.”