Arkansas Razorbacks running back Jonathan Williams decided on Wednesday that he will return for his senior year in Fayetteville. After a 3-9 season last year, Williams helped the Hogs break their curse known as the 17-game SEC losing streak. This season, the Razorbacks blanked LSU 17-0 at home to snap the streak, and then dismantled Ole Miss 30-0 the following Saturday to lift Hogs’ fans spirits high.
Williams accounted for a large portion of Arkansas’ running attack. He finished his 2014 junior campaign with 188 carries for 1,085 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground. Razorbacks head coach, Bret Bielema, ecstatic about the news took to Twitter right away stating, “Excited to have @JWillPart2 back for another year that will take him to new heights! #WoooPig“.
Jonathan’s running mate, soon to be junior Alex Collins, had a spectacular year as well with 187 carries for 1,024 yards and 12 touchdowns. The two-headed monster of Williams and Collins were the only teammates in the NCAA to top 1,000 yards rushing on the season.
With a large number of big name backs having already declared for the NFL Draft, Williams made a wise choice staying for his senior season. Among Jonathan’s main reasons for staying another year were made clear with his statement saying, “My faith, family and education are very important to me and all three played a major role in my decision,” Williams said. “I have many goals that I want to pursue, on and off the field. Graduating from the University of Arkansas is very important to me, and I look forward to running through the ‘A’ again in 2015.”
Now, Williams and the Razorbacks will face off against the Texas Longhorns in the AdvoCare V100 Texas Bowl on Monday night in Houston. Both programs boast only 6-6 records, but look for these old Southwest Conference rivals to let it ride for pride come Monday evening.
*Section Photo credit to Wesley Hitt, Getty Images; Featured Photo (above) credit to Matthew Emmons, USA Today Sports.
