Former Hog Williams smiling now as USC Trojan
Former Razorback Damian Williams, who transferred from the UA after a tumultuous season in 2006 off the field, is liking his new surroundings at Southern California, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Williams and Mitch Mustain, both teammates at Springdale High, Arkansas and now USC, transferred from the UA to USC after the 2006 season. The LA Times has a feature on Williams today as the college football season fast approaches.
Here’s more:
Much has been written about what happened at Arkansas, a football season turned soap opera.
“Nobody really knew the whole story,” Williams said. “Anytime there is missing information, opinion turns into speculation and speculation turns into rumor.”
The “soap opera” of course included Freedom of Information Act requests, parent-athletic director meetings, promise of a spread offense turning back to the atypical UA offensive attack, and fan unrest with Houston Nutt. It’s a year that won’t be soon forgotten by fans for the Razorbacks’ run to a 10-1 record, hopes of a national championship and Darren McFadden’s breakout season.
Players transferred, coaches left. Most were associated with the 2005 Springdale High team that went undefeated. Today Gus Malzahn, the former SHS coach and UA offensive coordinator, is at Tulsa.
Here’s more from the LA Times:
Surf the web. Check the Arkansas fan sites about the time Williams asked for his release.
Let that momma’s boy do some crying . . .
Great parents . . . teach your son to bail out on his brothers . . .
Who cares where this little traitor winds up?
Williams’ father, David, recalled: “There were times when it hurt him deeply to see the same fans who had praised him three months earlier suddenly turn their backs on him.”
But Williams is trying to put that behind him after sitting out a year because of NCAA transfer rules at USC. The redshirt sophomore may just be catching passes this season from his longtime friend, Mitch Mustain. Mustain has entered a fight for the starting spot at quarterback after QB Mark Sanchez went down with a dislocated knee.
At 6 feet 1, 190 pounds, Williams does not possess the size of Mike Williams or even current receiver Patrick Turner. His speed is average. But Malzahn talks about his knack for fighting off defensive backs.
“You throw the ball and he’ll find a way to come down with it,” Malzahn said. “He’s got tremendous instincts.”
Check out the entire feature by clicking here.
Photo by Andy Shupe, Northwest Arkansas Times
2 Responses to “Former Hog Williams smiling now as USC Trojan”
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I have always heard good things about Damian Williams and his family and it’s a shame this kid isn’t playing ball in Bobby Petrino’s offense.
Having said that, I hope the kid lights it up and does really well in Trojan land. As a Razorback fan, however, it is time to move on. Go Hogs!
Slow news day. I know, 12 days from the opening kickoff is a tough time to fill newsprint space. So, we dredge up the past. For goodness sakes, of all people, I’ve had to learn to let it go.
The Petrino era is on. Get ready to see some young men as good or better filling the WR spots in recruiting.
Forward thinking in the Hogs athletic program. That’s my motto from now on. If its reminiscing, it should be positive, period.