Jonah Williams had quite a spring. He graduated from high school early, enrolled early at the University of Texas and ended up working his way into the Texas Longhorns baseball starting lineup. Now it’s time for the Galveston native to show why he’s on the 40 Acres.
Williams did some football activities, but for Texas football coach Steve Sarkisian gave Williams the freedom to go make his baseball dreams come true too. Sark told Williams to work with the football team when he could, but to go play baseball this spring.
“I think that starts with Sark, Coach Sark. You know, I’ve coached plenty of football/baseball guys where either the football coach or the assistant football coach, the position coach, is in their ear, putting pressure on them saying, ‘Hey, what are you doing over there? You need to be over here.’ And Sark from Day 1 has been, ‘Oh no man, he’s a baseball player.’ You know, for spring practice we’re going to have to work through some things. But he’s been super supportive and I think that clears Jonah’s mind where he can be all-in as a baseball player. We love having him around and hope that he can help us this year.” – Texas Longhorns baseball coach Jim Schlossnagle
That decision works in several positive ways. First, it builds trust between coaches. Sark and Schlossnagle obviously have respect for each other. Second, it builds trust between player and coach. After Sark gave him total freedom to go play another sport as soon as he’s on campus, could you imagine Williams ever transferring? And third, it gave Texas coaches a unique opportunity to see the competitiveness of Williams in a game atmosphere, not just practices.
Longhorns defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski was impressed by Williams’ baseball season and can’t wait to get him on the football field.
“He’s smart. Obviously very athletic and talented. His mental acuity was really good. He picks it up. Yeah, I couldn’t be happier with him.” – Texas defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski
The football coaches are learning what the baseball staff already knows … Williams is a special talent with a special mental makeup. Schlossnagle was impressed with that Williams came in as a high school senior to an established group of bonded veterans.
“Its a great statement for Jonah. … You bring in a 17-year-old, super high profile football/baseball player and think about what that’s like for him? To come into two locker rooms, actually, football and baseball, and try to make your way. So two things have to happen. The older players need to create a relationship with Jonah and help him along the way as to how we do things and how we operate on a daily basis and Jonah walk the fine line between being a confident athlete. But also no one likes the guy that comes in and just starts talking about how good he is. You know, no one cares what you say, they only care what you do. So for Jonah to do that and for our players to be accepting of him … I mean that’s incredible.” – Jim Schlossnagle
As those qualities get put into practice on the football field, Williams respect will continue to grow.
This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Longhorns football hoping two-sport star Jonah Williams shines in his main sport
Reporting by Trey Luerssen, Longhorns Wire / Longhorns Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
