UNLV football’s star running back Charles Williams was announced as a semi-finalist for the 2021 William V. Campbell Trophy, college football’s premier scholar-athlete award.
“It feels good,” Williams said. “Academics are a big part of my life. It drives me the most because after football. I have to do something with my life. I can’t just live on football. What I do on the field, that goes over time with my coaches, staff and teammates. It feels really good getting that recognition.”
Williams returned to campus this fall in pursuit of a master’s degree in general studies after earning a bachelor’s in journalism and media studies in 2020. He continues to maintain a 3.66 GPA while juggling the roles of a father and a leader on and off the field.
Williams ranks third on UNLV’s career rushing list with 3,296 yards, which is 437 yards short of UNLV record-holder Tim Cornett, who posted 3,733 from 2010 to 2013.
Though close to earning record-holder status for the Rebels, it’s not something that is on the top of Williams’s to-do list. He continues to focus and work week-by-week to get the first win of the season.
“Having a chance to come back was good for me,” Williams said. “I just wanted to finish off my season the right way. Last year, with it being the COVID season, I didn’t feel it was right.”
Fans can look forward to watching Williams play in-person on Oct. 16 when the Rebels return home to host Utah State in the Allegiant Stadium with a 4 p.m. kickoff.
