Matt Willms Progressing Ahead of Schedule

Speaking to the media for the first time since surgery on his torn right labrum, Matt Wilms says he is ahead of schedule in the healing process.

The shoulder has healed in such a rapid pace that Willms was cleared for individual workouts today as the Miners off-season workout program continues into July.

Over the next three weeks or so, Willms is cleared for light weightlifting, and once cleared for full activity, Willms will be in the weight room full time before the season starts.

Willms said he lost a lot of weight after the surgery, and gaining that weight back appears to be a number one goal of his summer rehab.  He is currently at 222 lbs and is loading up on the protein in hopes to tip the scale at 230 lbs by October.

The shoulder injury he toughed out last season was more of a nagging burden more than a sharp constant pain, its obvious sitting out two seasons was not the business Willms wanted to get into, something he said CTF was not to fond of.

While the progression and speedy recovery is great news, the better news is Willms acknowledges how much his role is going to increase with the graduation of John Bohannon.

There is no questioning the toughness of the kid, it takes a huge pair to play your freshman year with a significant injury, but the production has to increase from Willms for the Miners to do what we all expect to happen this year, and Willms has his head in right place.

Willms really took off in my opinion down the stretch of the season, and his at times limited ability due to the shoulder is over with, now watch this kid "blow off his ceiling" like the coaches have been saying about Willms.