Auburn's other linebacker making strong impression

AUBURN, ALABAMA - Travis Williams is Auburn&#39;s ``other&#39;&#39; linebacker, the one not receiving lots of preseason hype and accolades. <br> <br> The sophomore is replacing leading tackler Mark Brown in the starting lineup, alongside preseason All-Southeastern Conference picks Karlos Dansby and Dontarrious Thomas. He has but nine tackles in 13 career games and weighs just 212 pounds. <br> <br> Thomas and Dansby, however, are predicting big things for the Tigers&#39; little linebacker. <br> <br> ``He might lead the team in tackles this year,&#39;&#39; Thomas told the Mobile Register. ``He&#39;s going to surprise a lot of people.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Dansby figures defenses will probably attack the inexperienced Williams. <br> <br> ``I know a lot of teams are going to try to go after him because he&#39;s inexperienced,&#39;&#39; he said. ``But they&#39;re going to learn about him real quick.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Williams set school records for most tackles in a season (160) and most solo tackles in a game (17) at Spring Valley High School in South Carolina. <br> <br> The 6-foot-1 Williams did gain about 10 pounds in the offseason and proved his mettle during spring practices. <br> <br> ``It was just me making up my mind to get better every day and be hungry,&#39;&#39; Williams said. ``I didn&#39;t let a day go by and not get better.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> His performance in the spring prompted the coaches to move Thomas into the middle from weakside linebacker and shift Williams from Dansby&#39;s backup on the opposite side. <br> <br> Thomas is already calling Williams ``the next premier linebacker at Auburn.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Williams isn&#39;t ready to claim that designation. He just wants to fit in with the Tigers&#39; two stars. <br> <br> ``They&#39;ve earned their stripes,&#39;&#39; Williams said. ``They&#39;ve been out there and made big plays. I&#39;m a newcomer to the group. Now I&#39;ve got to earn my stripes.&#39;&#39;