Ty’Son Williams, Emmanuel Esukpa Ready To Make Impact For BYU Football
Jun 22, 2019, 5:55 PM | Updated: Jun 23, 2019, 8:01 am
Photos: Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
PROVO, Utah – Graduate transfer running backs Ty’Son Williams and Emmanuel Esukpa are two of the bigger stories for the BYU football team in 2019.
Heading into spring practices this past March, BYU’s running back room was a big question mark. Now with the additions of Williams and Esukpa, there’s a lot of competitive depth to tote the rock for BYU this season.
“I definitely saw a lot of good football with this team. They have a lot of young and old talent mixed together and they ended on a great season last year. I know this team is on the rise and I wanted to be part of it,” said Esukpa on KSL’s Cougar Sports Saturday.
With BYU football on the rise and looking to make a splash in the 2019 season, Esukpa and Williams will need to make an impact right away and that’s what they are looking to do this fall.
“I want to have a great season but also I want to help the team get as many wins as we can, starting off with Utah,” said Esukpa. Ty’son Williams followed up Esukpa’s commentary with similar sentiments, “You get one last shot so you just want to make it count in all aspects. From the goals that you have for yourself to the team goals and also just being in and around the city. I just want to have an impact on everything I do.”
Last season, Williams rushed for 328 yards on 70 rushing attempts and ran for four touchdowns in only eight games as a member of the South Carolina Gamecocks. Esukpa, like Williams, only played in eight games a season ago for the Rice Owls. Esukpa rushed for 461 yards on 122 carries and had three touchdown runs.
BYU added these two running backs with the thought that they would have an immediate impact. Williams could end up being BYU’s starting running back when the Cougars open the season against Utah on August 29th. The former four-star recruit is excited for the opportunities this independent schedule poses.
“You always want to play great competition,” said Williams. “You want to prove yourself against the best competition. In today’s game, having a bad schedule can hurt you in the long run. So you want to play the best teams and beat the best teams and have a great season.”
Listen to the entire interview with Ty’Son Williams and Emmanuel Esukpa from KSL’s Cougar Sports Saturday below.
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for sports.ksl.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12-3 pm) on KSL Newsradio. Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper.
