One of a Kind – A UTSA Q&A with Jarveon Williams
When you pour over the record books of UTSA football, one name on the offensive side of the ball will continually jump out at you: Jarveon Williams. Hailing from nearby Converse, Texas, and the football powerhouse of Judson High School, Williams would leave an indelible mark on the program by the time he went off to the NFL in 2016.
Finishing with 2,393 total rushing yards (first all-time) and 19 career rushing touchdowns (second all-time), Williams also holds the single season rushing record and is tied for second all-time in rushing touchdowns.
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After leaving San Antonio, Williams would sign as an undrafted free agent with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2017, ultimately making the roster before being waived before the 2018 season. In 2019, Williams would catch on with the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League, rushing for 70 yards and reaching the end zone once in two games up north.
In addition to his resume of budding pro football star and father, Williams has added philanthropist and business owner to his long list of accomplishments. Recently, he took time away from his busy schedule to talk about his time at UTSA, the fraternity of Roadrunner running backs, and his plans off the football field.
EM: So, Jarveon, obviously you're a local guy. What made you decide that you wanted to stay at home and play for UTSA, especially when the program was still so new at that point?
JW: I think it came down to wanting to find the right institution that fit with everything that I wanted to do and achieve, both athletically and academically. I also really liked having the opportunity to start something special in this city.
I know I wasn't there at the start of the program, but to be able to help continue it and grow it, I think I helped with that and that was definitely something I wanted to do for the city of San Antonio.
EM: Right, so as you mentioned, you weren't part of those first couple recruiting classes, but you got here pretty soon after that. What was the program like in those days when you got to campus in 2013?
JW: Man, it was tough. It was the very early stages, nowhere near where it is now. Even though that wasn't too far down the road. It was nowhere near where it is. In those days, we didn't have a practice field, we didn't have locker rooms, we didn't have meeting rooms.
There was a lot we didn't have, but we just went out there winging trying to win football games. A lot of the resources we have now, I was fortunate to get some of those later in my career.
EM: One of the great things about UTSA being as young as it is, you can pretty easily trace a 'line' from player to player to player. I think this especially works for the running back position. We pretty much went from David Glasco II, to you, to Jalen Rhodes, to now Sincere McCormick. I'm assuming you have a pretty good relationship with all of those guys, right? Especially since you played with two of them and Sincere went to your alma mater.
JW: Yeah man, those are some of my closest friends in life. From Glasco to Jalen to Sincere, he comes and trains at my gym now. It's how it has to be and it is like a fraternity in a sense. You've got the older guys who came through and paved the way for the younger guys and now they're making a name for themselves.
It's a cycle. When you've got a good foundation, it doesn't really matter who you bring in, the foundation is going to do what it does. From me to Glasco to Jalen and now Sincere, it's very evident what we've built in a foundation at UTSA at the running back position.
EM: Your name is all over the UTSA record books and you hold or are at the top of pretty much every category for running backs. What does having that much history at UTSA tied to you mean?
JW: It means a lot. Being an alumni and having a legacy not just in the record books means a lot to me. When people say 'Jarveon Williams' I think obviously people will think of the record book and the stats. But, I think my impact on the program means more than that stuff. Being a San Antonio native and accomplishing the things that I accomplished helped keep the program going forward in a positive direction.
EM: How close in touch do you keep with the program? I know you've got your businesses here in San Antonio and you've spent a few years away playing ball, but are you still in close contact with the coaches and staff?
JW: Oh yeah I still keep real close ties with the program. I come down here as often as I can. The coaches have let me speak to the kids a few times. Coach Wilson let me speak to them in training camp this year and give them some inspirational words. I keep in contact with Coach Wilson and some of the coaches. I've gone to a couple of the games this year before I went up to Canada. I've been really close to the program and I've tried to be even closer since I've been back.
EM: Talk a little bit about what all you're involved in outside of football if you can. I know you're still trying to get back to that level, but you have a lot of interests off the field, right?
JW: Yeah, I might have an opportunity with the XFL when that gets going. If not, the I'll probably go back again up to Canada.
As far as off the field, when I got back from Cincinnati, I opened up a gym, BSA Sports Lab out in Universal City, not too far from where I grew up. I partnered up with a former coach from UTSA and we opened up the gym specializing in sports performance. My goal was to provide a competitive edge that kids in San Antonio often get knocked for.
It's something I've always wanted to do. I've always wanted to own a gym. It's partly why I started my non-profit, 2Ten Development. I wanted to work with kids in my area and inspire them not only athletically, but also in life. I wanted to provide any assistance that I can.
EM: Last thing for you, Jarveon. What does being a Roadrunner mean to you?
JW: Being a Roadrunner to me means being one of a kind! [laughs] I think about the bird, the roadrunner, there's no other bird like it. Being from UTSA, there's no other program like it either. UTSA helped me embrace being different and not doing the status quo and helped me to make an impact on the people in my life.
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