Arkansas commitment Maleek Williams learned about the possibility of Chase Hayden joining him as a running back pledge during his visit to Fayetteville in June.
“When I was at Arkansas they talked to me about that,” Williams said. “I saw it coming, and I think it’s a good, fit too.”
Williams, 5-11, 215 pounds, 4.42 in the 40-yard dash, of Punta Gorda (Fla.) Charlotte picked the Hogs over approximately 17 scholarship offers from schools like Illinois, North Carolina, Boston College, Kentucky, Tennessee and others.
He and Hayden complement one another.
“He’s a shaker,” Williams said. “He’ll break down the defense, and I’ll come through and hurt the defense, and the defense won’t know what to do.”
Williams said Arkansas fans have been showing their joy about him and Hayden on Twitter.
“I got tagged in that stuff last night,” Williams said. “Our recruiting class is dangerous. Our quarterback, the safety over there from Miami and we got another safety and Maleek Barkley. It’s dangerous.”
He and running backs coach Reggie Mitchell talk at least every other day.
“It’s just good to bond and get to know him,” said Williams, who spoke to Mitchell on Wednesday night. “He’s going to be like my new parent when I’m up there.”
He’s looking forward to making his way back to Arkansas for his official visit.
“Right now, it’s looking like the Alabama game,” he said.
Williams rushed 59 times for 664 yards, averaging 11.3 yards per carry and had 12 touchdowns as a junior while splitting time with Elijah Mack, who signed with South Florida in February.
He didn’t have to share carries during the spring game against South Fort Meyers.
“Coach Mitchell was there,” said Williams, who recorded 10.8 seconds in the 100 meter dash as a sophomore. “That was my first game to start. Normally, I come off the bench and [am] more relaxed. That’s when I play the best.”
Williams said he was uptight and could’ve played better in the spring game but was generally pleased.
“I still did really good,” he said. “I went 25 carries and 258 [yards] and 3 touchdowns.”
On Monday, Williams maxed out at 360 pounds on the bench press. He has a best of 535 on the squat but knows he can go higher.
“They won’t let me go high because I squat so much,” Williams said. “They don’t want me to have back problems.”
He’s confident he go much higher in the squat.
“I think I’m 600 or close to it,” Williams said.
His most enjoyable time as a running back is when the team needs him the most.
“When the team is looking for a spark in a deadlocked game, and I make that big play and everyone is cheering for me,” Williams said. “That’s the best feeling when I come through for my team.”
Williams use to talk to other schools after his commitment to the Hogs, but that’s not the case now.
“I was a little bit, but I realized how unhealthy that was making my relationship with Arkansas and how much I was set with Arkansas,” Williams said. “I kind of have to be mean a little bit and not talk to other schools just out of respect to my commitment.”
There were quite a few times when opponents didn’t want to see the fast, physical and bruising Williams come at them. One particular defender had the best line last year.
"‘I’m glad you didn't start,'” said Williams, laughing.