Jonathan Williams rolls even as the role changes

[MuskogeeHogFan]

A Nate Allen article about Jonathan Williams and how his role has changed since the arrival of Bielema.

FAYETTEVILLE -- From the day Arkansas Coach Bret Bielema set foot campus in December of 2012, he's been molding and remolding the role of running back Jonathan Williams.

Bielema inherited Williams, a Bobby Petrino signee who played enough for John L. Smith in 2012 to catch eight passes for 208 yards, most of the yardage coming on touchdown receptions of 77 and 74 yards.

Nonstop praise was lavished on Williams, a rising sophomore, but Bielema saw more than an off-the-bench pass-catching specialist. So, he made a power back out of Williams while rotating him with newcomer Alex Collins, and the result was 900 rushing yards in 2013 and 1,190 in 2014 but very few receiving yards.

Williams' attitude alone is a treasure, Bielema and new Razorbacks offensive coordinator Dan Enos both say. "He is one of those guys that you look at and say, 'I wish we had 105 like him," Enos said. "He does things right on the field. He does things right off the field. He is very gifted and his character matches his talent."

Williams' receiving yardage is likely to increase with new play-caller Enos opening screen doors in the passing game for Williams and running mate Collins. "We worked on it a lot last year, we just didn't call it," Bielema said of screen plays. "It's one thing Dan has been very good at. The personnel fits it. I think Alex and J. Will both catch the ball, very, very well."

Williams said he can laugh when some forget how productive he was in the passing game as a freshman. "After my sophomore and junior year everybody feels that I am a big, power back," Williams said. "But my freshman year everybody was wondering if I could be a power back because I was just a catching back. Everybody tries to make me as one or the other, but I feel like I am a complete running back."

Bielema and Enos concur completely.

http://www.wholehogsports.com/news/2015/aug/03/williams-rolls-even-as-the-role-changes/

[SoonerSooie]

I can't wait to see a screen play element added! Giving Williams and Collins, K. Walker and maybe even D. White, the ball in space is a very exciting thought!!  Wow!!

[MuskogeeHogFan]

I can't wait to see a screen play element added! Giving Williams and Collins, K. Walker and maybe even D. White, the ball in space is a very exciting thought!!  Wow!!

Interesting that they had it in the playbook, practiced it, but didn't use it last year. Bielema says we have the personnel that makes it a fit. What has changed since last season? Someone who will actually make the play call?

[nwahogfan1]

I can't wait to see a screen play element added! Giving Williams and Collins, K. Walker and maybe even D. White, the ball in space is a very exciting thought!!  Wow!!

The only thing that scares me on Screen plays is can our huge OLM block in space?  We will see. 

[Piggage]

Interesting that they had it in the playbook, practiced it, but didn't use it last year. Bielema says we have the personnel that makes it a fit. What has changed since last season? Someone who will actually make the play call?

My first thought was the threat of a passing game and teams no longer being able to load the box. If I'm calling plays on the sideline, I don't want the QB trying to throw a 5-yard pass into the teeth of eight defenders who are 5 yards away and facing him. I don't want the RB trying to catch that pass either. I'd rather securely hand him the ball in the backfield and hope something opens up.

[Hawgey-Davidson]

Interesting that they had it in the playbook, practiced it, but didn't use it last year. Bielema says we have the personnel that makes it a fit. What has changed since last season? Someone who will actually make the play call?

May be the reason they shifted some O linemen around.

[Poker_hog]

May be the reason they shifted some O linemen around.

Yeah I'd think the right side of our line is better suited for screen plays than the left.

[MuskogeeHogFan]

My first thought was the threat of a passing game and teams no longer being able to load the box. If I'm calling plays on the sideline, I don't want the QB trying to throw a 5-yard pass into the teeth of eight defenders who are 5 yards away and facing him. I don't want the RB trying to catch that pass either. I'd rather securely hand him the ball in the backfield and hope something opens up.

On the other hand, if you are setting up a screen (unless it is a middle screen) you wouldn't be throwing into the teeth of the defense.

[MuskogeeHogFan]

I'm just happy for Williams. I hope he his extraordinary success this year. He seems like a prime example of the kind of person, student and player that this staff is constantly seeking.

[twistitup]

Jonathan 'Complete' Williams

[Paul]

truly an "Uncommon" kid

[popcornhog]

Interesting that they had it in the playbook, practiced it, but didn't use it last year. Bielema says we have the personnel that makes it a fit. What has changed since last season? Someone who will actually make the play call?

Hopefully the added depth at WR and hopefully improved vertical passing game will open up even more opportunities for screen plays to be part of the game plan. This offense really could be a lot better (compared to last year).