TITANS INSIDER

Kentucky linebackers bonding with Titans

John Glennon
jglennon@tennessean.com

When Wesley Woodyard made one of his periodic visits back to his alma mater, the University of Kentucky, a young Wildcats linebacker asked him for advice.

Linebacker Wesley Woodyard catches a pass during the Titans'  final minicamp practice on June 19, 2014, at Saint Thomas Sports Park.

"He asked me how I got to where I am in the NFL, and I told him, 'You have to be one of the best players on your team and be one of the most dominant players in your conference,' " said Woodyard, a veteran linebacker now with the Titans. "You have to be a great leader on the field and off the field. Do the right thing and lead by example."

That young linebacker, Avery Williamson, must have learned his lessons well. He piled up 102 tackles as a senior (tops on the team and fifth-best in the SEC) and the Titans made him a fifth-round draft pick.

Now that the two former Wildcats are teammates in Nashville, the Big Blue line of communication continues. But it's now a two-way street.

"He accepts all the coaching I give him, but one thing I also tell him is to coach me," Woodyard said. "If there's something I'm not doing right, I tell him to tell me, and I think that's a good way to keep him tuned in all the time."

Williamson, a Milan native, doesn't sound as if he's shy about critiquing Woodyard, who has six years of NFL experience.

"I feel pretty confident, so if he asks (for advice), I'll tell him," he said. "We're just trying to help each other be the best linebackers possible."

One aspect of the players' relationship remains more traditional between veteran and rookie.

"He's a little hard on me," Williamson said. "He always makes me carry the helmets off the field."