Travis Williams has been a terrific hire for Sam Pittman. The switch in defensive philosophy from a passive, drop-eight scheme to Williams' aggressive, blitz-happy defense helped Arkansas move from second-to-last in pass defense in 2022 to a top-30 position in 2023.
He obviously has great football chops, but he also has a not-so-secret talent that he shared on social media. On Friday, Williams posted a video of him rapping in front of the team. So far, the post has over 10,000 likes, 2,000 reposts, and over 1.1 million views.
Apart from being a great way to advertise the university, the connection Coach Williams has with his players is self-evident. When recruiting against the LSUs, Georgias, and Alabamas of the world, that personal connection can help win over big-time talent. Just look at how Williams shocked the college football world when he landed four-star linebacker Tavion Wallace.
YEAH COACHโผ๏ธ
โ Coach T-Will (@T_WILL4REAL) July 26, 2024
Yโall been asking me when, itโs only right I deliver! pic.twitter.com/xZ8mmcB5RF
Fans of all stripes reacted to the video, including huge TV personality Pat McAfee. The vibe was overwhelmingly positive.
Social Media Reactions
Coach hyped me up so much, I had to hop on College and play with the @RazorbackFB โฆ. Yeah Coachโฆ.. https://t.co/kQ50f1lPsh
โ Coach Jackson AKA 4,2 (@RodanJackson) July 27, 2024
TWILL always spitting ๐ฅ๐ฅ!! https://t.co/jk9e9YfI0M
โ AUBURN SUPERFAN #2 (@MichaelFloyd_AU) July 27, 2024
Might need to go bet on Arkansas to win the SEC https://t.co/Z0eseZcNft
โ Ninjallamma (@Ninjallamma_26) July 27, 2024
๐ฃ๐ฃ YEAH COACH https://t.co/Dlm0DQBg1K
โ Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) July 27, 2024
Bout to start a dynasty just off of this https://t.co/zrS43dmC8Q
โ Father with no kids (@SenpaiShae) July 27, 2024
They goin undefeated this season https://t.co/uQeRY4BbKr
โ ๐๐ธ๐โ โ๐ป (@llllKASH) July 27, 2024
Early nomination for coach of the year and itโs not even the season yet https://t.co/CVH2FUylL2
โ moe (@18moe88) July 27, 2024
https://t.co/nUmxHWdolv pic.twitter.com/I6Diyfd1R6
โ BlackTope (@FemoTohprapra) July 27, 2024
I bet you they will run through a 100 walls for Coach T-Will!!! https://t.co/cr9Hc0EKXG
โ Larry Allen Auguste (@LarryAuguste21) July 27, 2024
Just added Arkansas to my week 1 parlay https://t.co/P3tqQyThZp
โ ๐๐ (@KingMook_4) July 27, 2024
College ADโs, Head Coaches, NFL & NBA owners better get used to hiring people that arenโt exactly like them. This is the type of energy & leadership that a lot of todayโs athleteโs respond to because itโs relatable. Some of these dinosaur coaches still around need to step aside https://t.co/lrokM1EQvr
โ Pro Player Solutions (@PPSsportsMGMT) July 27, 2024
Yeah Iโm full in on the Razorbacks. Ready to be hurt again https://t.co/wU3HTVqdcF
โ Jacob Reeves (@44JReeves) July 27, 2024
#Energy #Creativity #Excellence Iโm demanding @T_WILL4REAL vs @DeionSanders #RapBattle โฆ got my popcorn. You up next Prime โฆ https://t.co/seWlDLvjKI
โ Dr. Eddie Moore, Jr. | Dr. Diversity (@eddieknowsmoore) July 27, 2024