Why Mack Brown thinks running back Antonio Williams is the MVP of this UNC team
When Mack Brown was asked which player on his team he’d give MVP to, he didn’t mention Sam Howell, the true freshman who has broken program records. He didn’t say Chazz Surratt, the former quarterback turned linebacker, who leads the defense with 100 tackles.
And he didn’t say Michael Carter or Javonte Williams, who have both led the Tar Heels’ rushing attack.
Brown said senior running back Antonio Williams -- far from the obvious choice, for those outside UNC’s locker room.
He is third on the team with 316 rushing yards and a touchdown.
But it was his attitude that caught Brown’s eye.
“I think he’s been the hardest worker on this team, he’s had the best attitude of anybody in my estimation on this team and I’m really, really proud of him,” Brown said. “For all those young guys that weren’t getting the amount of reps they needed to, this guy never griped; he stepped up, he’s been a team leader the entire time and when his time came, he was ready and produced.”
UNC junior running back Michael Carter said the same.
“(He) is someone people should be looking up to,” Carter said.
Williams never griped because he saw a bigger picture. When he came to UNC he said his dream was to win a Coastal championship in his home state. While that is currently impossible, the next best thing is making it to a bowl game, and UNC (5-6) can do that with a win over N.C. State (4-7) on Saturday.
“I’ve had this game taken away from me to a point where I had to figure out what am I going to do afterwards other than football,” Williams said. “That makes you think, and that makes you just appreciate things a little bit more.”
He also knows he’s only guaranteed one more football game in his college career. If UNC loses to N.C. State, the Tar Heels’ season will be over.
Williams, who is 5-11, 215 pounds, was a four-star prospect coming out of high school in New London. He enrolled at Ohio State in 2016 and played two seasons there before transferring to UNC in 2018.
He said he needed to be closer to his family.
At UNC, he was an immediate contributor. He finished the 2018 season as the second-leading rusher with 504 rushing yards in 10 games. And in 2019, he was expected to be a big contributor. Before the season, Brown said the running back room was the Tar Heels’ best unit.
But a few nagging injuries kept him from playing as much this season. He said he re-aggravated a high ankle sprain he suffered in 2018 that affected his Achilles. Williams said he could only go in for a few plays at a time and not have to be pulled, because he could barely walk.
And while Antonio Williams couldn’t stay on the field, Javonte Williams and Carter had success.
“The biggest thing with this game, and with the type of room that we have, you have to stay healthy,” Antonio Williams said. “It irked me while I was out, but I seen how those guys ran and I’m happy they did what they did. Can’t complain at all. They held it down.”
Williams said he eventually got healthier and the coaches worked him back into the rotation. He got a chance to shine on Nov. 14 against Pitt after Javonte Williams left the game with an upper body injury.
In that game, Antonio Williams rushed for 107 yards on 12 carries. It came in a loss, but it was his third 100-yard rushing game of his college career, and his first of the season.
He followed that game up with a 65-yard, one-touchdown performance in 56-7 win against Mercer last Saturday in front of his parents, siblings, nieces and nephews, who all attended the game.
After the game, Williams said while he was excited to get into the endzone for the first time this season, he was more so excited that his family got to see him play. It was his older sister’s first time, as well his his nieces and nephews.
“I saw them at the pregame walk, I got off the bus and I couldn’t hold it in,” Williams said. “I kind of cried a little bit.”
The recent emergence of Williams is good news for the Tar Heels. That now means they have three quality running backs they can count on against N.C. State. Javonte Williams is also healthy.
And the Tar Heels are at their best when they can run the football. After rushing for 376 yards against Mercer, the Tar Heels are 4-0 when they rush for 200 or more yards in a game.
Antonio Williams said whether that involves him, it won’t matter. All he’s worried about is getting a win and extending his college career.
“And everyday I’m able to come in this facility, and see my teammates and put my helmet on, I’m going to be positive,” Williams said.
