Arkansas Razorbacks with plenty of options to replace Jonathan Williams
Oct 11, 2014; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks running back Jonathan Williams (32) runs with the ball to score a touchdown in front of Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Cyrus Jones (5) at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Arkansas is without Jonathan Williams for the season after undergoing surgery on his foot, so how will the Razorbacks replace their leading rusher?
Arkansas head coach Bret Bielema met with the media on Monday to announce running back Jonathan Williams is lost for the season after suffering an injury in Saturday’s scrimmage. The injury occurred after his foot was hit by a defensive lineman. The thought is that the recovery process for Williams will take much longer than the 2015 season. Either way, Bielema feels that Williams 2016 NFL Draft stock won’t be affected as long as he performs well at the NFL Combine.
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Bielema did go on to say he feels “it’s in his best interest to come back” for the 2016 season since he does have a redshirt available. The goal this season was to get Williams to the second or first round of the 2016 NFL Draft after receiving a third round draft grade at the end of last season.
That would be huge for coach Bielema and the Razorbacks after what could be a big year in the SEC. Bielema went on to compare Williams to Melvin Gordon stating he “has an edge and is in a league of his own” which is an understatement by the head hog, in my opinion.
Despite the injury Williams, he has managed to keep up his spirits and has had the support of his head coach as seen here on Twitter.
Anyone that knows @Jwillpart2 knows this is another opportunity to prove the man of character & substance that he is http://t.co/EAxDCdZL0C
— Bret Bielema (@BretBielema) August 16, 2015
The running back position as well as the Razorback’s 2015 season, to the outside world, will have a less than likely shot at breaking through the SEC Western division this season without one of its key players on offense. That’s a perspective that should heed caution by those looking in at the program no matter what platform you reside on whether it be fan, media or analyst.
That said, the position by both local and regional media was considered to be thin coming out of spring camp with 2014 recruit Juan Day suffering another ACL injury requiring surgery and the transfer of 2013 recruit Korliss Marshall. That was before Kody Walker exploded on the scene during the annual Red/White game.
Since Arkansas’ 7-6 finish down the stretch of the 2014 season and Kody’s performance in the spring, the veil on Arkansas’ program has been lifted. In fact, the Razorbacks, players and staff alike, have garnered national attention on a level not seen since going into the 2011 season after the Sugar Bowl appearance in 2010 that has in turn caused excitement levels in the state to rise to a fever pitch.
Good or bad the country has started to respect what Bielema is putting together in Fayetteville and it starts with recruiting. Arkansas has recruited five running backs over the course of Bielema’s three-year tenure as head coach, so let’s take a look at some of the options Bielema has to help fill the void left by Williams’ injury.
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