Photos by Justin Cook | The Roanoke Times

Virginia Tech redshirt freshman Ryan Williams (center) stretches for extra yards during Friday's intrasquad scrimmage in Blacksburg.

Kam Chancellor picks off a pass during Friday's Virginia Tech intrasquad scrimmage at Lane Stadium.

BLACKSBURG -- Ryan Williams has been waiting for a long time to show Virginia Tech fans that he's as good as advertised.

Mission accomplished Friday afternoon in Lane Stadium.

Proving why he was of the nation's most highly rated recruits coming out of Manassas' Stonewall Jackson High a year ago, Williams ran for 122 yards on eight carries, including an electrifying 80-yard touchdown burst to highlight the Hokies' first full spring scrimmage.

"No words can describe how I feel right now," a grinning Williams said. "I'm prepared to play, mentally and physically. I can't even talk right now because I'm so happy because I was waiting on the day where I felt like I was ready."

The 5-foot-8, 205-pound redshirt freshman displayed the whole package -- sheer speed, shake-and-bake moves and an uncanny ability to break tackles. On his first carry, Williams quickly hit a gaping hole supplied by the first-team offensive line and then waved goodbye to the second-team defense, racing untouched to the end zone.

"I felt there wasn't anybody who was going to catch me," said Williams, laughing. "The offensive line did the best job I've ever seen ... I mean anybody could have scored that touchdown right there. It was the perfect setup. That's the best feeling I've had since I've been here. To go 80 yards on your first carry ... it just doesn't get any better than that."

It beats running with the scout-team offense, which Williams did last fall after the Tech coaches elected to redshirt him. He had to watch as then-redshirt freshman Darren Evans ran for 1,256 yards, the most ever by a Tech first-year back. Evans, of course, is still the Hokies' No. 1 back. Now Williams' big goal is to start this fall as the No. 2 tailback, a position that he currently shares with sophomore Josh Oglesby.

"Darren Evans got 1,300 yards and breaking records ... so he really has nothing to prove," Williams said. "He showed what he was able to do last year, and props to him. Now it's time for me and 'JO' [Oglesby] to really crack down and help him out when he needs it. This is really our time."

Tech offensive coordinator Bryan Stinespring said he could tell that Williams was ready for action heading into Friday's scrimmage.

"Ryan has been anxious and he's been looking forward to this opportunity," Stinespring said. "He's been walking around with a smile on his face. We wanted to make sure he got enough touches today so he could get out there and do some of the things that we know he's capable of. And he didn't take very long to do it.

"He has tools, and those tools showed up today. Obviously, we're excited about what we saw out there today, and I know he is, too."

Williams' ground assault paced a rushing attack that manufactured 210 yards, although the output came almost exclusively against the second and third teams. Oglesby had 28 yards on nine carries, while Evans, in limited snaps, ran six times for 16 yards.

Stinespring's bunch also pitched the ball around effectively. Starting QB Tyrod Taylor, who got roughly 20 snaps, was 5-for-10 passing for 101 yards, including a 62-yard touchdown strike to sophomore wideout Danny Coale.

Ju-Ju Clayton was 5-for-12 for 74 yards, hitting freshman Tony Gregory for a 44-yard TD pass, with an interception. Fellow redshirt freshman Marcus Davis, who is battling Clayton for the backup job, was 3-for-8 passing for 62 yards, including a 40-yard hookup with redshirt sophomore Patrick Terry.

"Overall, I thought our first offense was fairly effective," Tech coach Frank Beamer said. "I think our second offense ...we've just got to get those quarterbacks [Clayton and Davis] better. They've got to play more consistent. We've really got to figure out which way we're going. Are we going to go with Ju-Ju or Marcus, and kinda give that guy a lot of reps. ... And the third part of that is [tight end] Greg Boone, get him in there and give him some reps."