Takes one to know one: Cadillac Williams offers high praise of Auburn RB Boobee Whitlow
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This time of the year with teams heading into training camp, you are very unlikely to hear anything but optimism from position coaches around the nation. That being said, not all praise should be considered equal.
Especially not when that praise is coming from an Auburn legend like Carnell “Cadillac” Williams. The former Auburn standout rushed for 3,831 yards and 45 touchdowns during his four-year career on The Plains and now that he’s back at his school, this time as the Tigers’ running back coach, he’s seeing something special in the back he’s inherited.
“I am very high on Boobee,” Williams said during an appearance Greater Birmingham Auburn Club in Hoover according to AL.com. “I think he’s going to have an awesome year if he can take care of them little things.”
During his first season on the field for the Tigers last fall, the sophomore burst on to the scene with 960 total yards and eight touchdowns from scrimmage.
When it comes to getting the most out of Whitlow’s game, the key for Williams is teaching the young runner the intricacies of the running back position.
“Now to get him to really understand the run game, what we’re trying to accomplish up front, how to (be) patient — patient,” Williams added when referencing Whitlow. “I thought last year he was so fast on zone-reads, gap-reads where he didn’t let the blocking scheme up front develop.
“Once he understands the position — and he had a heck of a spring slowing himself down and patient and being dependable and taking care of the little things. Once he develops those things, I think Boobee can be one of the better ‘backs around the country.”
That’s very high praise from Williams but he knows it when he sees it. He’s been there before for the Tigers.
A graduate of the University of Tennessee, Michael Wayne Bratton oversees the news coverage for Saturday Down South. Michael previously worked for FOX Sports and NFL.com
