Administrator GarryP over at the USC Scout.com free message board has said that Damian Williams will be enrolling at USC for the spring semester.
While I hated to lose him as a Razorback, I do feel USC will offer him a much better chance to grow as a player. All the best to him.
Update 1/2/07: Now being officially reported by the L.A. Times.
Why will he grow more as a player at USC? Don't answer that. I know the answer you will give but the fact is it is really up to the player and I think DW will do well wherever he is. It is not a matter of catching more balls. He would do that at Arkansas over the next few years. I do not think it is a matter of our running offense because Malzahn's offense will be more prevalent every year with time and implementation and and maturation of the QB's all about the time DW is a Jr and the premier guy in the passing attack.
Kendallp – at least two reasons I think he'll grow more as a player at USC. 1) More challenge and competition for playing time. He'll be pushed very hard. 2) USC has a much more evolved offense and more experienced coaches than we have at Arkansas. Their system is well established and proven.
I agree with all of your points about the Razorbacks. I think Damian could have done very well here. Big fish, little pond, while at USC he'll be little fish, big pond as far as receivers go.
Ther's no question DW is a great talent, with a great work ethic.My gut feeling questions,however,his decision to move on to greener pastures.Patiants really is a great virtue,at times.I wish him the success he is looking for.
I agree with your points about being pushed hard by other players. That is probably the number one reason Arkansas has not excelled over the years. Even when we have a good core of players there is not another group right behind them good enough to take their job. The only thing better than competition to keep your job is the internal desire and discipline to make yourself better every day. Some guys have that and some do not. I think in DW's case he has the internals to make it happen wherever. He is a good kid caught in some serious crossfire- some real and some percieved.
I think it is also possible that he was the brunt of some internal crossfire that he was starting because he was playing for his high school coach- again in error but it still is real.
I would agree that USC runs more of a pro-style attack. As much as every one wants and likes the spread you do not see it in the NFL in the way you see it in college. Ours will always have the option runs involved in passing plays. You do not see that in the NFL. The NFL spread is passing based.
Who cares? If he's not a Razorback, I'd just as soon not continue to see these useless reports. I thought this was the Razorblogger not the USCblogger or the williamsblogger.
I'd rather not play and win a championship or dominate Michigan, than play and lose to Wisconsin in a bowl game.. I'm sure that's just me though.
set aside actually having a chance to play as a JR!