It's a family out here. We all keep with each other, and it’s an honor to play for Utah. – Joe Williams
SALT LAKE CITY — Troy McCormick and Joe Williams have had their struggles. McCormick battled an injury last season, while Williams had legal troubles at UConn in 2013, but the two together have a common goal in mind: win the Pac-12 Championship and get Utah to a bowl game.
Coming out of high school McCormick was the 5A co-offensive MVP and first-team running back. He was a redshirt in the 2013 season, and in 2014 he was averaging 5.9 yards a carry for the Utes and played in all 13 games.
McCormick was then listed as the No. 2 running back behind Devontae Booker last spring before going down with a knee injury during spring camp which forced him to miss all of the 2015 season. He said he doesn’t want his injury to define him. He has been working with his trainer and feels he is getting better every day. He felt he did everything asked of him.
“I’m just happy to be playing again," McCormick said. "I just want to help out the team. We’re looking better every day. The quarterbacks are throwing it fast. The whole team is going to be good. Our defense is looking great.”
When Booker went out last season with an injury it seemed as if the life was taken out of the Utah running game. It was unknown how Williams would handle the pressure but he got three starts to his name last season and accepted the challenge. He ended the season averaging 4.9 yards a carry.
With Booker headed to the NFL, the question is who will be Utah’s running back this upcoming season. Currently, Williams is the frontrunner for the No. 1 spot and earned that position after how he stepped up when Booker was injured.
Williams said there isn’t any pressure to live up to the standards Booker set but to simply just be who he is as a running back and let things fall into place. His style of play is different from Booker's.
Booker played with a physical dominance where Williams is quick. He’s currently the second-fastest guy on the team. Williams said he wants to bring the same mentality he brought last season and continue to improve.
Williams has been impressed with the team and the improvement they’ve made and is enjoying the process.
“We’re looking good on defense and things are starting to click on offense," Williams said. "We’re getting the passing game going and the running game back in order. I’m really looking forward to getting through spring ball, fall camp and playing against Southern Utah in our first game.”
Williams came to Utah as a JC transfer after he legal troubles at UConn got him suspended from the team indefinitely. He is thankful to those who gave him another chance to play the game he loves.
“It's a family out here," he said. "We all keep with each other, and it’s an honor to play for Utah.”
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