Nebraska defensive coordinator Craig Bohl is standing in the back of the room at the post-game spring press conference patiently answering questions from the media. He abruptly cuts off a reporter. "Hang on, I want to hear what he says." motioning to the speaker now standing at the podium.

The speaker wasn't head coach Frank Solich or even a veteran player. The player was Demorrio Williams, a transfer linebacker who hadn't even played a game as a Husker yet. BUt his performance in the short time he's worn a Husker jersey has been enough to warrant intense interest from even his superiors.

Williams came to Nebraska as a highly touted prospect out of Kilgore Junior College where he was named an honorable mention All-American in 2001. Last year he recorded two sacks, two interceptions and 127 tackles. He also returned a fumble for a touchdown.

"I had high expectations for him and he's already exceeded those expectations," Bohl said.

Williams, a 6-1, 215 pound weakside linebacker from Beckville, Texas enrolled at Nebraska in January allowing him to participate in spring practice and the annual red-white spring game. In the spotlight scrimmage he lead all players in tackles and made an impression on his teammates and coaches.

"He's all that he was hyped to be coming out of Junior College," Solich said. "There's a reason that he made so many tackles and did so many great things defensively at Kilgore.

Williams has shown great speed in chasing down ball carriers from behind. The junior has been timed at 4.6 seconds in the 40 yard dash.

In April's spring game Williams also showed his resolve when he went head-to-head with running back Dahrran Diedrick in an attempt to tackle the I-Back in the open field. Diedrick won the battle, bowling over Williams en route to a touchdown run. But Williams was able to spring back to his feet.

Diedrick says those kind of plays shows Williams has more than just speed in his resume.

"Sometimes it's not how big you are, or how fast you are. Sometimes it's how good you are," Diedrick said. "He's going to be a very good linebacker for us."

Williams was a second-team All-American in 2000 as a freshman after leading the Southwest Junior College Conference with 130 tackles.

Williams has also impressed observers with how quickly he has been able to adjust to the playing level, something that often challenges a player moving from Junior College to Division 1 football.

"He's well ahead of the curve as far as a new player coming in," stated Bohl.

But one adjustment Williams will still be working on when the season rolls around will be the size of the crowd in the stands.

"I asked him once what's the biggest crowd he's ever played in front of," Bohl said. "He told me about 500 people."

Williams agrees the stage he will be asked to perform on will require him to do more than just impress the coaches and his teammates.

"The crowd (at Nebraska) really likes football and that's going to motivate me to want to play hard and make the big plays," Williams said.

"If I stay healthy I believe I can make a big impact with the team."