Ty'Son Williams cracks UNC football running back rotation

Before the season began, most expected running backs Elijah Hood and T.J. Logan to carry the North Carolina rushing attack, with perhaps some Romar Morris or Khris Francis sprinkled in. 

But true freshman Ty’Son Williams has carved out an early role for himself in the UNC running back rotation. 

“He just came in, he put his head down, he’s just a grinder,” Hood said. “He’s got a big future ahead of him if he keeps up that work ethic, I think he’s got a lot of potential.”

Williams does everything proactively. He enrolled at UNC in January to be able to participate in spring practices. Running backs coach Larry Porter said Williams is the type of guy who if an assignment is due Friday, he’ll finish it Tuesday. 

“He hasn’t been late, he’s been going to class every single day,” Porter said. “He’s been doing all of the things a coach expects his player to do.”

The transition from high school to college football can be treacherous for some. Both Logan and Hood had disappointing freshman seasons relative to their expectations. Williams enters with a similar level of hype, ranked by ESPN as a four-star prospect and as the No. 2 high school football player from South Carolina.  

"You never know what you’re getting until you get it, regardless of how highly they’re recruited or how highly they’re not recruited," Porter said. "Every guy responds differently once they get in a college environment."

But Williams has come to work every day with the goal of getting on the field. Even with a stacked depth chart ahead of him, he simply put his head down and plowed forward.

“I was going to work hard throughout training camp,” Williams said. “Wherever I landed at was where I was going to be.”

Hard work paid off, as Williams excelled throughout spring and summer practices for the Tar Heels. When the regular season began, Coach Larry Fedora rewarded Williams with early playing time. 

So far through two games, Williams has five carries for 23 yards. At 6-feet tall and weighing 220 pounds, he is perfectly suited for the B-back role in UNC’s offense behind Hood. While the A-back typically is used more in the passing game as a receiver, the B-back is responsible for blocking and running inside the tackles, where physicality is a must. 

Early success has not changed Williams' mentality. He grew up with a military background, used to taking orders. He does the same in football practice, listening and then doing.  

“Whatever we tell him to do, he usually just does it no questions,” Hood said. “He doesn’t say too much, but he’s always listening and trying to learn.”

Like his rushing style, Williams is not afraid of simply buckling down and doing the gritty work.  

“He puts a lot of extra time in from the standpoint of watching extra film, learning the system," Porter said. "He’s truly worried about everything he does in a very professional way"

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