Rawleigh Williams retiring from football
Arkansas running back Rawleigh Williams has decided to hang it up.
The junior who rushed for over 1,300 yards and 12 touchdowns last fall announced his decision in a release on Monday, saying "I've dodged the bullet twice," in reference to his second scary neck injury during Arkansas' final spring practice on April 29.
"I’m moving onto the next chapter of my life," Williams wrote in the release. "It’s tough to not be able to play football anymore because I’ve been playing since I was four years old. It wasn’t something I wanted to do or planned on having to do so early. I’ve prayed, listened to my doctors, my parents and my gut.
"It still doesn’t seem real yet, but I really don’t have a choice. I’ve dodged the bullet twice. I realize that at the end of the day I want to live a normal life and be around my family.
"The most fun I’ve ever had in my life has been being part of this team the last two years. Playing with my brothers, learning from coaches, the workouts, the preparation, the grind, the games … we sacrificed a lot. Now that I can’t play anymore I wish I could sacrifice more."
Arkansas head coach Bret Bielema, quarterback Austin Allen and center Frank Ragnow also weighed in on Williams' decision to call it quits.
Head Coach Bret Bielema Statement
“As a head coach you always remember the first meeting you have with all your recruits and how that first impression is made. Rawleigh was committed to another school, but after a visit with him and his father, I knew we had a chance. We said at the time that unique recruiting stories often lead to unique experiences in the years ahead and that has been no disappointment. Rawleigh handled his recruiting with maturity and class and that followed into his playing career. At Arkansas, not only does he have All-SEC academic success, but he also steps away as the reigning SEC regular season rushing leader. This next chapter in Rawleigh’s life will be filled with unlimited success in any career path or anyway of life he chooses. As a head coach I couldn’t be more excited to begin the next chapter with him and be there for him.”
Senior QB Austin Allen Statement
“Rawleigh is a guy that every team in college football wishes they could have on their team. He's hardworking, unselfish, determined and an all-around great teammate. When your best player is also the one who treats others with respect, is the hardest working, and one of the best in the classroom, you know that guy is special. That will be Rawleigh’s lasting legacy with this program. Just because his playing career is over doesn't mean he won't have an influence on all of us for his rest of his time at the University of Arkansas. He will be with us every step of the way through this upcoming season. We should all strive to do it the ‘Rawleigh Williams way’ because if we do that, the sky is the limit.”
Senior OL Frank Ragnow Statement
“The term uncommon is something we use around football, but Rawleigh defines uncommon as a friend. He is a guy in the locker room who everyone loves, always seems to be in a good mood, works extremely hard and is the same guy every day. He does everything the right way and that is why it breaks my heart that this happened to him. It is because of all of these traits I know he is going to thrive off the field as well. I'm going miss blocking for 22, aka the SEC leading rusher, but I know he's going to be very successful and attack this stage of his life full speed.”
Williams' departure puts sophomore Devwah Whaley in the driver's seat to become the Hogs' next starter. Whaley rushed for 602 yards and three touchdowns as a true freshman last season.
The Razorbacks' backfield also consists of true freshman and early enrollee Maleek Williams, who rushed for 73 yards and 89 yards in Arkansas' two main spring scrimmages. Junior Juan Day is in the mix, as well, and true freshman Chase Hayden, a four-star prospect in the 2017 class, is set to join the program later this month.
Losing Rawleigh Williams likely also means that T.J. Hammonds will rejoin the running backs group on a full-time basis. The sophomore from Little Rock played running back as a true freshman but started this spring as a wide receiver.