Moe Williams' son, Amaree Williams, feels at home in Kentucky
This trip to Lexington was a little different. Instead of watching the action from the Kroger Field stands, Amaree Williams was running routes on the artificial turf. After receiving instruction from Brad White on the defensive side of the ball, he rejoined Vince Marrow on the Big Dog’s golf cart to drive around campus.
“He told me that if you get on this golf cart, that means you’re really valuable and you’ll be really good,” Williams shared with KSR.
How good can Amaree Williams be? Time will tell, but it’s not far-fetched for the 2025 prospect to dream of joining his Hall of Fame father on the wall’s of the Joe Craft Football Training Facility. It was one of his final pitstops at Sunday’s unofficial visit. Joined by his sister, they recreated a photo taken years ago in the UK running backs meeting room.
Like Father, Like Son
Amaree’s father, Moe Williams, is one of the most decorated running backs in the history of the University of Kentucky. As a true freshman he helped the Cats reach the Peach Bowl. By his junior season he was one of the best running backs in America, setting the single-season rushing record by totaling 1,600 yards, a record not even Benny Snell could break. In 1995 Williams set the single-game rushing record with 295 yards in a 35-30 win at South Carolina.
Following his time in Lexington, Moe Williams spent a decade in the NFL, including nine seasons with the Minnesota Vikings. With the help of Randy Moss, he produced one of the greatest plays in NFL history, ranked No. 68 in the NFL 100 celebration.
Williams retired following the 2005 season, just before his son Amaree was born. Ten years later, Moe returned to Kentucky to take care of some unfinished business. He completed his degree while serving as a student assistant on Mark Stoops’ coaching staff. With his help, in 2016 Kentucky had a pair of 1,000-yard rushers and advanced to the postseason for the first time in six years.
Amaree Williams fondly remembers visiting Kroger Field for some of those exciting games six years ago. He enjoys attending games, but watching them? Not so much.
“I’m going to be honest, me and my Dad, even though we love football and it’s one of the last things we could ever do if we had the choice, me and my Dad don’t honestly watch football like that,” said the younger Williams. “That’s an absolute plot twist you might think, but me and my Dad can’t find enjoyment watching football.”
Even though they do not watch football together, the father and son have been playing football together for as long as Amaree can remember. Backyard football is how the two Williamses prepared for Kentucky’s 2014 National Championship Game.
The father and son also have a common enemy: the University of Florida. In 1993 Moe had a 70-yard score against the Gators, but never successfully recorded a win over Florida. Now they hear lip from Gators’ fans all the time. The younger Williams wants the Cats to silence that trash talk this fall.
“I grew up in Florida, so nobody around me really supported Kentucky. They’re all talking about Gators this, Gators that. I’m like No. I’m good. You should see our family group chats. It’s insane.”
Amaree added, “I’ll be up for the Florida game, so y’all gotta win. I don’t want to hear it from my family. I don’t want to hear that. Y’all have got to win.”
Williams’ Versatility and Untapped Potential
Amaree Williams stood out at the Kentucky Sunday Night Lights Camp, not in a figurative sense either. After completing his freshman season at The Benjamin School, he stands over 6-feet, 4-inches tall and weighs a hair over 200 pounds. He took reps at tight end, wide receiver and defensive end. That’s just how Williams prefers to play.
“My (high school) coach has colleges come over. He doesn’t even know what to tell them because I’m all around the field. Where ever they need to put me, I’m 100% fine with it. Whatever can help the team, where ever I fit best at.”
Williams was explosive off the line of scrimmage. On the other side of the line of scrimmage, he stopped on a dime to break free from defenders and reel in receptions. Picking a position to play is not a priority for the rising sophomore. The developing star wants to learn as many as possible.
“My Dad used to tell me, ‘Whatever you can pick up and learn, do that, because it makes you more versatile as a player. It makes you more valuable as a player at the end of the day.’ I grew up with that mentality. I really don’t prefer anything; just where ever they need me, I’m 100% fine with it either way.”
He has plenty of time to find the right spot on the football field. In the meantime he’ll attend a few more camps this summer, Miami and FIU are just a few on the docket, while Mike Stoops and Marrow continue to pitch the University of Kentucky. The Cats have already offered him a scholarship, along with Auburn and Florida Atlantic. Even though he’s just a freshman, Williams loved everything about the trip to his father’s alma mater.
“It was nice,” said Williams. “I feel like everybody is so welcoming at UK, it just feels like home. It’s really nice. All of the coaches bond with you. You ask questions and they can tell you whatever. It’s just really nice up there.”
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