FAYETTEVILLE -- Travis Williams created a stir on social media when he recorded a rap video that seemed to get the entire team fired up.
Williams was jokingly asked on Wednesday what is next after becoming a social media sensation?
"What’s next is trying to get these guys to get to the ball and play well on defense," Williams said. "That’s what’s next. It was awesome how that thing went viral, but what it shows you is a lot of people went back through my social media and just started watching and we’re like, ‘Oh, he’s been doing this.’ It was just this deal that caught fire. But, you know, man I’m just blessed to be here, blessed to be coaching so I just try to be my authentic self. I like music, you may see me singing, dancing, rapping with my kids, jumping in the pool with my kids. Going paint-balling with the players, going dodge-balling, that’s who I am. So, it wasn’t like this one deal that was out of nowhere. It was cool, it was cool."
One player Williams gets on at least occasion is Utah State transfer Anthony Switzer. The former Marion and Arkansas State player also plays the Hog and safety in addition to linebacker.
"But you want guys with length," Williams said. "That's the first thing everybody in the country is going to look for. Length, size and guys who can run. But then, you get an Anthony Switzer, who's right at 6-foot, but he's a heck of a football player. You're always like, 'Man, I want a football player.'
"What does that mean? Is he always around the ball? Does he love football? So, you have different body types, so you've just got to make sure whatever you get they love football. Obviously, you're going to profile them and say, 'I want them 6-2' or whatever. Just make sure the guys you get can play."
Another transfer, Larry Worth III, from Jacksonville State is also moving around playing same positions as Switzer.
"They’re playing multiple spots," Williams said. "Just trying to build that depth. The more you can do is kind of what we talked about with the guys. They’re playing all over the place and we’ve got to find, OK, what is that first spot and what would be the secondary spot for them? But both of them, I’m talking about both of those guys. The reason we’re able to do that, both of them are really smart. Really smart football players. Even Stephen Dix, really smart football IQ. So he allows us to different things with those guys."
Williams was asked what characteristics that Switzer has at linebacker?
"First of all, he loves football," Williams said. "It’s hard to play in there and not love football because we have to face these 300-pound linemen each play. Loves football. He has a really good… Like, if he sees it one time, he’s got it.
"His football IQ is just out the roof. He’s very, very sharp and he makes check. Any little, small movement, he can kind pick up on what route is coming or what play is coming. If he hears the offensive line say whatever it’s going to say, he’ll point exactly where the ball is going. Man, just a football player. You can tell he’s a gym rat as far as loving football and you can just tell… We talk as a defensive staff, ‘Okay, he was in the backyard.’ He’s a kid that played in the backyard, got dirty, one of those kids because he loves football."
Switzer was asked if Arkansas told him he would be playing linebacker as well as the back end of the secondary?
"I knew that they were going to let me be versatile, just help the defense with my experience playing different positions," Switzer said. "I knew coming in that T-Will was going to move me around and I’d be with Coach (Marcus) Woodson some, Coach T-Will some. That’s what I like to do. I feel like I have a lot to offer in that aspect and can help the team in that aspect."
Switzer talked about the difference between the secondary and being in the box at linebacker.
"Definitely, because now instead of just getting off blocks by receivers, you’ve got to get off 300-pound linemen trying to block you," Switzer said. "It’s just a different technique. You’ve got to use your hands more in the box and be more under control. Your eyes, you’ve got to see pulls and different things.Â
"It’s a big different with the technique, but Coach T-Will has been doing a very good job of teaching me how to use my hands. Teaching me how to play linebacker."
Switzer likes the fact he is versatile since it gives him more chances to be on the field.
"I think it’s nice just to be multiple on defense," Switzer said. "Just as multiple as people on offense. You want to be able to give different looks. The thing about T-Will, he’s aggressive. I like to say that he plays offense on defense. We are going to attack the quarterback. We are going to attack you, not just sit back and let you attack us. Just being able to play the same… I played the same defense kinda at Utah State. We played out west. I played the same position, had a lot of success. I played money. Just being able to have all of us move around and just give different looks and let us play to our strength."
For Switzer, Arkansas is his third school, but it's where he's the most happy.
"I’ve always dreamed of being a Razorback," Switzer said. "Unfortunately, I didn’t get that chance coming out of high school. At the end of the day, it did not deter my dream. I just took a different path. It all worked out on god’s time and not my time. I’m here when I’m supposed to be here. I’m glad to be home and make the most of the opportunity."
The Arkansas-UAPB game in War Memorial will kickoff at 6:30 p.m. and be televised on ESPNU.
