Commentary: Williams Likes What He Sees

Arkansas 2015 tailback pledge Rawleigh Williams -- one of the program's two Texas prep commits -- got a chance to watch the Razorbacks' 49-28 demolishing of Texas Tech live on television and loved every minute of it.

"I watched it all," Williams said. "It was absolutely awesome."

At A Glance

Recruits Visiting

BASKETBALL

Official visitors:

• Malik Dime, 6-10, 220, Ottumwa, Iowa, Indian Hills Community College

FOOTBALL

Official Visitors:

• Jaylin Barnett, OL, 6-4, 303, Lawton, Okla.

• Derrick Graham, LB, 6-4, 220, Wachula. Fla., Hardee

Unofficial visitors:

2015

Arkansas commits:

• Daytrieon Dean, DT 6-3, 263, Fort Smith Northside

• K.J. Hill, WR, 6-1, 190, North Little Rock

• Zach Rogers, C, 6-3, 300, Carrollton, Texas, Hebron

• Ty Storey, QB. 6-3, 215, Charleston

• Rawleigh Williams, TB, 5-11, 210, Dallas Bishop Lynch

Other Prospects:

• Will Gragg, TE, 6-4, 245, Dumas

2016:

• Manuel Bunch, S, 6-2, 185, Roland, Okla.

• Austin Capps, DE, 6-3, 307, Star City

• Jordan Carmouche, 6-2, 200, Manvel, Texas

• Damarea Crockett, TB, 6-0, 205, Little Rock Christian

• T.J Hammonds, ATH, 6-1, 198, Pulaski Robinson

• Deontre Hardwick, MLB, 6-2, 235, Fort Smith Northside

• Jordan Humphrey, TB, 6-4, 195, Southlake, Texas, Carroll

• Jordan Jones, WR, 6-3, 170, Smackover

• Houston Miller, DE, 6-3, 215, Keller, Texas

• Austin Quillen, S, 6-0, 190, Jenks, Okla.

• John Tate, DE, 6-4, 247, Pine Bluff

Arkansas ran the ball on 68 of its 80 offensive snaps and piled up 438 yards rushing as Alex Collins rushed 27 times for a career-high 212 yards and two touchdowns and Jonathan Williams rushed for 145 yard and a career-high four touchdowns.

"I loved watching the offense just ground it out and just run over Texas Tech time after time after time," Williams said. "Those guys ran the ball great. It was just a beating and I loved seeing it."

Williams is slated to be on hand with fellow 2015 Razorbacks commits Ty Storey, Zach Rogers, Daytrieon Dean and K.J. Hill.

They'll spend some times in the ears of Florida prep linebacker Derrick Graham (6-4, 220) and Oklahoma prep offensive lineman Jalin Barnett (6-4, 303) -- both of whom will be on official visits this weekend.

Then they will all turn their attention to Tuesday when Dumas tight end Will Gragg, who is also expected to be on hand Saturday, is slated to make his college decision public at 10 a.m.

"I've actually been friends with Will for a long time because we met at an Ole Miss camp and have talked ever since," Williams said. "I think we are going to add him to what is turning into a great class.

"I'm also working on (Dallas Skyline) safety Kylan Johnson and feel good about getting him, too," Williams added. "I just think the whole program is heading in the right direction and I really believe in what Coach Bielema and the Arkansas assistants are doing."

Williams said last Saturday's performance by Arkansas is what one would expect to see from a place that ESPN named "Running Back U."

"That's what you would expect from Running Back U," Williams said. "I'm going to love getting up there and getting in on that."

He certainly proved the night before that he could wear the label workhorse with a whopping 43 carries for 228 yards and one touchdown in a 56-36 loss to Class 6A Sachse.

"I really didn't know I had carried the ball that much during the game," Williams said. "I was just putting in the work just trying to get as many yards as possible and give my team a chance to win.

"I was pretty sore the next day, but I got in the cold tub, got some stretching in and rested while watching the Arkansas game so I am good to go," Williams said. "I feel good."

Williams had rushed 82 times for 626 yards and 7 touchdowns in his first three games for his 2-1 team.

He had 206 yards and four touchdowns on just nine carries in a season-opening 55-8 rout of Dallas Carter. He had 30 carries for 192 yards and two scores during a 35-32 victory over Oak Park, Ill., Fenwick. "I feel like I have been running the ball hard and using my vision to get those extra yards," Williams said.

Williams has also been doing his part in recruiting lately -- calling and texting as many prospects as he can.

Williams has hopes of being in Cowboys Stadium when the Razorbacks meet Texas A&M on Saturday.

"I am right now trying to come up with some tickets," Williams said. "I can't get the free ones from Arkansas because they are not the home team this year. But I am hoping to be there cheering my Razorbacks on to victory."

NW News on 09/19/2014

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