Will Former Hokie Ryan Williams Earn A Roster Spot with the Dallas Cowboys?
By Tim Thomas
October 4, 2012; St. Louis, MO, USA; Arizona Cardinals running back Ryan Williams (34) carries the ball for a four yard gain during the first half against the St. Louis Rams at the Edward Jones Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Ryan Williams wasn’t in Blacksburg for a very long period of time but he made a big impact while he was in Blacksburg, especially in the 2009 season. Williams became the starter after Darren Evans’ season ended due to an ACL injury and Williams would take advantage of his opportunity.
During the 2009 season, Williams ran the ball 293 times for 1,655 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns in what was one of the best single-season performances ever for a Virginia Tech running back. Williams would miss some time due to injuries as a redshirt sophomore in 2010 but decided after that season that he was ready to make the jump to the NFL.
Williams was selected by the Arizona Cardinals as the 38th overall pick in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft. However, Williams struggled to get playing time due to injuries that only allowed him to get 58 carries for 164 rushing yards in 2012.
With the Cardinals having running backs like Andre Ellington and Rashard Mendenhall on the roster, Arizona made the decision to cut Ryan Williams this past spring. Now, Williams is looking to salvage what seemed to be a promising NFL career when he entered the league.
Ryan Williams signed with the Dallas Cowboys this offseason and is looking to earn himself a spot on the Dallas roster. In his first preseason game, Ryan Williams had 8 carries for 29 along with 5 catches for 31 yards.
ESPN Dallas’s Todd Archer has Ryan Williams currently on the outside looking in for the Cowboys’ roster but also mentions that even if Williams is unable to beat out Joseph Randle for the #3 running back spot, the Cowboys could still decide to go with 4 running backs.
Ryan Williams knows that he might just be running out of time to make it in the NFL and Williams will do everything he can to try to take advantage of his opportunity with the Cowboys. For now though, Williams is in a very precarious situation.