Mon Williams hasn’t played in an organized football game since 2006, but that doesn’t deter the former Florida recruit’s confidence entering the 2009 season.

“It’s basically the same thing as spring ball so there’s really nothing new,” said Williams, who was the No. 16 ranked running back in the country coming out of high school.

Williams transferred to Eastern from Florida last spring after recovering from a torn ACL he suffered in 2007. Upon his return he had seen himself drop in the Gators’ depth chart and the coaching staff planned to convert him to linebacker.

But with a fresh start at Eastern and a healthy leg, Williams is ready to contribute and the coaching staff is happy to have him, and even with a plethora of strong running backs on this year’s squad, offensive coordinator Roy Wittke sees a lot of positives in Williams’ game.

“For a guy his size, he has very good speed and explosiveness,” Wittke said. “He gives us a little bit of a different style.”

Williams joins a backfield that already has one Florida transfer in junior Chevon Walker. The team also features sophomore Desmin Ward, who saw extensive action as a freshman a year ago. Additionally, sophomore Jimmy Potempa joined the Panthers this summer after transferring from Michigan.

Other running backs on the Panthers depth chart include incoming freshmen Kenny Williams and Alex Harrington.

But while the Panthers are full of options in their backfield, Wittke said Mon Williams has a leg up on the others in a number of ways.

“(Mon) is probably a little bit more explosive than (Ward), and a little bit more physical and better inside runner than (Walker and Potempa),” Wittke said.

But he’s not worried about the large number of players at that position, because injuries in the past have made it difficult for the team to operate a running game.

“That’s been a tough position on us the past several years,” he said. “You can never have too much depth at that spot, and we feel good about that group right now as long as we can keep them all healthy.”

Collin Whitchurch can be reached

at 581-7944 or at cfwhitchurch@eiu.edu.