Kansas running back Pooka Williams Jr., citing his mother’s battle with “health issues,” has opted out of the remainder of the 2020 college football season.
Williams announced his decision on Monday via a posted graphic on Twitter. Williams, a junior, was a preseason All-Big 12 selection and likely will be an NFL draft pick next spring.
“(Monday) I made the very difficult decision to opt out of the rest of the season to be closer to my mother and family in Louisiana,” Williams posted. “Family and health are the most important things to me.
“Right now I need to be with my mother, who is battling health issues.”
Kansas head coach Les Miles expressed his support for the decision on social media.
“I’m proud of him for making this tremendous sacrifice to support his family, and do what he believes is right,” Miles said in a statement.
Kansas is 0-4 this season and winless (0-3) so far in Big 12 play. Each of the program’s losses have come by double digits.
Williams, a 5-10, 170-pounder out of New Orleans, had rushed for 196 yards and two touchdowns in four games for the Jayhawks this season. In his college career, Williams amassed 2,363 yards and 12 rushing touchdowns.
