Going into last year’s fall camp, Mississippi State University lacked a lead running back and used more of a committee approach. This season, Aeris Williams will take the lead after a breakout last November.
After spending two-thirds of the season in the committee, Williams, a junior from West Point, took over the running back position. He proved he deserved it when he rushed for 451 yards over the last four regular season games last season.
Running back coach Greg Knox said Williams started to pick it up after MSU’s loss to Brigham Young University.
“He started putting in more time, studying his plays and again when you know what you are doing, you can react and you will play faster without thinking,” Knox said.
Knox has high praise for Williams, comparing Williams to former MSU and former Indianapolis Colts running back Vick Ballard, who holds the MSU single season record for rushing touchdowns in a season. He noted both were “determined runners.”
“Aeris works hard, he is going to go out and give you everything he has got. He was that way in high school and he has been that way since he has gotten here,” Knox said. “He is a guy that is dependable, accountable, and we as coaches know we can count on him to show up every day and go to work.”
Williams is the type of player who improves as the game goes on. His yards per carry average increases by almost a yard in games where he has 20 carries compared to games he has around 10.
This season Knox said they “will keep him in there and we will feed him as long as he can handle it. He is the guy right now.”
Williams is excited and thankful for the opportunity. This season, he will have a new number as he changed his number from 27 to 22.
“I am just blessed, I thank God for putting me in this position,” Williams said. “Every time the call 22, I am going to take advantage of every little run.”
Williams has to set the tone for a group of young talented running backs behind him in Kylin Hill, Nick Gibson and Alec Murphy. William said he does this by showing them how much he progressed from when he was a younger running back.
“You have to take every day,” Williams said. “You have to take it day by day and try to get better and try to beat yourself every day. That is the only way you will get better.”
Williams said while he has to lead he also has to focus on himself. He said he is not the finished product some people think he is and has a lot of room to grow.
“They have not seen anything yet, I promise you that,” Williams said. 
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