Kansas football: Pooka Williams Jr. opts out of 2020 football season

Pooka Williams Jr. has opted out of the 2020 football season. The decision is a heavy blow to Kansas football, furthering the struggles the Jayhawks have seen this season.

It appears that Pooka Williams Jr. announced the end of his junior season in a message on Twitter this afternoon:

Williams has made the decision to be closer to his mother and family back home in Louisiana. He stated that his mother had been battling health issues, and is focusing on his most important concerns at this time.

The decision will be a major blow to the Kansas offense, which has seen a large share of struggles this season. Nevertheless, Pooka’s choice is to focus on “family and health”, is an extremely respectable decision.

It must’ve been a very difficult conclusion to come to for Williams, who had been a huge leader on this roster this year. Williams, who had just received the Big 12 player of the week honors, thanked the coaching staff and everyone involved in the football program for their understanding in his decision.

We wish both Pooka, his mother, and his family the best as he takes his efforts back home for the remainder of the season. The junior running back has not stated any future plans at this time, but we should assume he isn’t gone for good.

Kansas football will have to re-organize and adjust to his decision to miss the rest of the season, but without a doubt are supporting Williams’ decision to be closer to his family at this time.

Without Williams, the workload of the Kansas run game will likely fall to Velton Gardner, who does have some experience this season. So far he’s rushed for 225 yards and a pair of touchdowns this year. Be prepared to see Gardner getting over 20 carries per game.