AP: Receiver Williams will be given his release to transfer
Houston Nutt hopes the drama surrounding his football team is over now.
The Arkansas coach said Wednesday he would let freshman receiver Damian Williams transfer amid concerns voiced by several parents about the direction of the Razorbacks’ offense.
Also:
- 4029TV.com (Video): Springdale Star Leaving Arkansas
- YouTube Video: Damian Williams Interview
- Alex Abrams: Arkansas Soap Opera Ends With Transfer
- Kurt Voigt: Rumors Could Have Been Avoided
- Bob Holt: Williams asks UA for release, Mustain apologizes for comments
- Wally Hall: Feuding Hogs need to kiss, make up, move on
- Nate Allen: Williams granted release from Hogs; Mustain, Cleveland to stay on
- Pat Forde: Melodrama stirred by the straw of teenage celebrity
- Bob Holt (Wednesday): Parents voice concerns over Hogs’ offense
Updated 12/14/06 11:15 p.m.
This is unfortunate. Of the three being rumored to leave I actually thought he was the least likely since he got to start every game and got some balls thrown his way.
Well, I hate that things didn't work out for Damian at Arkansas. From all appearances, Damian is a fine young man. I hope he doesn't end up regretting this move, as I was confident of better things from him in the future here at Arkansas.
Arkansas is heading towards bigger and better things. Its time to get on the train or hop off for good. As an FYI, HDN is the engineer. IMO, we (the fans) need to make a decision to support the program (regardless of who the coach is) or find some other team to root for.
Go Hogs, beat Wisconsin!!
I think last year there was a lot of pressure on Houston to pick these kids up from Springale and there probably were some indications the style of play would change. That is what most of the fans thought and I think most of the kids from Springdale as well as Gus thought. Not saying this year wasn't great. But, if you want to be an NFL receiver, you probably don't come through Arkansas under Houston Nutt.
All I'm going to say is this is VERY sad and is a reflection upon many items that have been discussed here and elsewhere.
Good Bye, See Ya!!! If you don't want to be a Hog, go where you can be happy. It's unfortunate for him because he is going to miss out on better things in the future.
I think DW is a fine young man and has played hard this year. I also believe the offense will gradually change to incorporate more of Gus' style, but it can't be done overnight. Hopefully, Damian can find a place where he can be happy. We owe him a big "Thank You" for his hard work and best wishes for the future.
Houston met with the Springdale players individually before meeting with the entire team. I’m sure after he found out that Mitch was staying, that made it a whole lot easier to ask everyone the question “Are you in, or are you out?” I’m glad this came to a head, and that Mitch got a chance to apologize to his coach and teammates for the whole “book thing”.
I wish Damian all the best at Texas Tech or Hawaii. That’s about the only place you can guarantee catching 60 balls a year.
Reference Kurt Voigt – Rumors could have been avoided
It is unbelievable that the writer who help create this firestorm and continues to feed it, wants to blame a coach for the writer's words included in his book. There is no way that he did not know the damage both to the kids and the program he would create by releasing those comments in his book. If he says he did not know – then he lies.
I wish DW all the best in the future but this comes as no surprise being he really didn't want to be here anyway. I know at 18 years old you are old enough to make your own choices but alot of time young adults can still fall victim to peer pressure and I just can't help to beleive that DW after commiting to the Gators and staying commited until the end didn't fall pray to Gus, the players and some of the other coaches there with false promises.I hope he does well in Florida in 2008.
No one player is above the program. I hate that he is gone, but I want players who want to be here. I would have loved to have been a Razorback even if I never got to see the field.
What false promise?
Good question Kendall. Sometimes things we intend to do don't work out in the end. Does that make it a lie? Looking at that USC game, I think we fully intended to open things up, but that didn't turn out to be the way to get the most wins when you have the backfield we have. From all accounts DW is a good kid, but I am left wondering. Second leading receiver as a true freshman on a division champion team going to a new years bowl and you aren't happy. This is probably for the best.
If HDN had told Damian during the recruiting process that, without a doubt, Damian would make 1st team freshman All-SEC, would that have made him happy? Well, I guess we know the results.
If anyone thought that the offense was going to change overnight then they would be the ones to be mistaken. I have heard too many times good things about what Nutt says in a room to believe he just outright lied. It would be completely out of character for him- regardless of other peoples belief to the contrary.
The absolute best thing for this program was to high profile McFadden. He got 2nd in the Heisman. He will be the front runner next year. We will throw 25-30 times next year I believe although McFadden will get some of those as will Jones- and hopefully Hillis. Let the offense develop under that banner and when McFadden is gone and Felix is the running back the spread can take off. Felix is more geared to a spread offense than a workhorse back like Dmac. The offensive line will have changed also with guys who have grown up in the system. Mustain will be a junior ready to be promoted for a heisman as a Junior when most QB's come into thier own anyway. DW would have gotten 50 catches a game then.
I really have not understood why this was always so hard for everyone to wait a bit for. But I can tell you that this jihad against the program has turned me the rest of the way off from going to games and even talking about it much. I just can not completly stay away as you can see. But the whole issue of negativity and all as turned me away.
Wish – If the future you laid out comes true, that would be awesome! I, for one, am willing to wait and see.
Winning 10 games is a good start and will satisfy me for now.
That's a first Tipster.
The only issue I see with that is assuming Felix will be here his senior year. Why would he? If he has another year like this year he and D-Mac could both go in the 1st Round…. then where are we at?
Again, there are a lot of ifs and at least a year of football between us and the doomsday scenario of losing McFadden and Jones. While, perhaps not landing another McFadden, I'd say we'll reload nicely at runningback given the exposure they get as Razorbacks. Relax and enjoy the moment.
Barnett and Michael Smith are not slouches. ANd there is a junior is the state who is supposed to be really good. I can not remember his name. If Mitch Mustain is who we think he will be then we do not have to have a McFadden. Heck, we may not ever have another McFadden. But I for one think we will always be pretty good there. Danny Nutt has shown that he can get production from that position.
The key of course next year as in most years is the offensive line and QB play. Next year expect Mitch Petrus to start in the offensive line somewhere. Another guy pkaying there may be the guy who is playing tightend that came from baseball. It will take a while for the line to jell next year as it did this year so an easier start will be nice.
We have also locked up a running back named Washington from Felix's alma mater in Tulsa. Apparently Washington broke many of Jones' records at the school. Given that he expects both Dmac and Jones to stay for their senior years (!), Washington is also willing to be patient and redshirt. How refreshing.
Damian better be glad he got out of dodge…Malzahn is gone…so passing is gone too, and always will be when HDN is the coach…HDN's idea of football is run the ball, run the ball, and then run the ball some more…
his idea of a pass play is a heavy package w/one wide out…gee, who's gonna get the ball in that package???
anyway, if mustain has any sense, he'll leave and go to a team that actually likes to pass the ball instead of running the ball into 3 straight losses to end the season…
at the end of the season, AR's biggest strength became its greatest weakness…we need to pass to win the big games, and we need to get rid of HDN to do it