Jim Wyatt

jwyatt@tennessean.com

The Titans watched Avery Williamson's college tape and were impressed.

Then they interviewed the former Kentucky linebacker. It was a game-changer.

"To see how mature he was and how he handles everything,'' coach Ken Whisenhunt said of Williamson. "There's a humility about him, but also a quiet confidence. You couldn't help but like him."

The Titans ended up drafting Williamson in the fifth round of the 2014 NFL Draft.

It's safe to say he's been a game-changer on the field as well.

Williamson has been one of the bright spots during what's been an otherwise disappointing season for the Titans. He's continued to impress those around him with his work ethic and consistent production.

Coming off the best game of his career against the Ravens — he led the Titans and set a season high with 12 tackles while also recording two tackles for loss and two quarterback pressures — Williamson feels like he belongs.

He also wants the rest of the NFL to know his name.

"That's what I want to do every week,'' he said. "I want every team to know that Avery Williamson is a legit linebacker — that is my goal until the end of the season. I want every NFL team to know who I am, no matter what the circumstances are."

Titans fans got to know Williamson even sooner than most expected.

Williamson (6-foot-1, 246 pounds) began to establish himself during a productive training camp, and after injuries and inconsistent play from players initially in front of him on the depth chart, he began getting more of a chance. While he played in the team's first two games, he didn't begin to make a big impact until Week 3, when he had four tackles and a tackle for a loss against the Bengals.

The next week he had nine stops in a loss at Indianapolis. By Week 5 he'd worked his way into the starting lineup, and he's been an extremely productive player ever since. According to the team's statistics, Williamson has recorded at least nine tackles in five of the past six games, including back-to-back double digit efforts. He's also recovered two fumbles and recorded a sack against the Texans.

Nine games into the season, Williamson is third on the team with 61 stops, behind only veterans Wesley Woodyard (83) and Michael Griffin (66). Williamson has led the Titans in tackles the past two weeks.

"Avery is doing a nice job for a young player. He is making some contributions special teams-wise as well,'' Whisenhunt said. "You are really excited about the young man moving forward with just how he is playing defensively.

"He works really hard at it. If you want somebody to have success, it's those kinds of guys because they work so hard at it and they are such good teammates. It's great to see."

Williamson, who grew up a big Titans fan in Milan, Tenn., was a team captain at Kentucky, where he led the team in tackles his last two seasons. He finished his career at Kentucky with 296 total tackles, including double-digit tackles in 12 career contests.

Teammates say the rookie seems older than his age — he's just 22. It's no surprise hearing the pyramids in Egypt are on his "bucket list." It's also no surprise Williamson was chosen to represent the Kentucky football team last year on a one-week educational/service trip to Ethiopia.

"I love his character. He is a really good kid,'' Titans defensive lineman Mike Martin said of Williamson, whose favorite subject in school was public speaking. "He comes in and works hard every day. He's a humble guy, and he is just looking to get better every single day.

"On the field he makes plays. And he is definitely asserting himself more on the field. He is starting to become more vocal and doing better communication-wise, things that come with being a vet. He is starting to really pick up on that."

It's also no coincidence teammates have seen a more confident Williamson of late.

Williamson admittedly trod lightly when he first came in the door as a rookie.

While he respects the veterans around him, he's now confident enough to speak up more freely. Already, he knows he belongs, but that hardly means he'll stand pat.

"I feel like I have earned that right to say more, to be more vocal. And the guys respect me, too — they see I am a hard worker and I feel like I have earned a couple of stripes to say what I feel,'' Williamson said.

"But I know I have to keep working to get better every day. I have to keep it going, try and keep helping this team, and not be satisfied with anything."

Reach Jim Wyatt at 259-8015 or on Twitter @jwyattsports.