Jared Williams recovering from surgery after bowl game injury

SMU freshman Jared Williams was resting comfortably on Sunday recovering from surgery for a broken femur on Saturday night, according to his father Walt Williams.

The former Southeast/Bradenton Prep running back was injured in the fourth quarter of the BBVA Compass Bowl Saturday between SMU and Pittsburgh in Birmingham, Alabama.

(photo: Williams waves to crowd as he is carted off the field).

Williams tried to cut to his right when he was hit on his left leg by the helmet of Pittsburgh safety Andrew Taglianetti. He spent several minutes on the ground writing in pain until attended to be medical personnel and eventually carted off the field.

Williams had surgery at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Birmingham. He hopes to be released on Monday and plans to come home to Bradenton with his parents, who were at the game.

“Jared actually broke his femur in two places, but he will be fine and the doctor said he should be ready to play in July,” Walt Williams said. “He is feeling a little distraught, but is in good spirits overall. It’s like anything in football. You get hurt, work to recover and move on from there.”

Walt Williams was sitting in the stands when the injury occurred and rushed down to the field to be with his son along with Jared’s mother.

“When I first saw the hit I immediately thought it was his knee, but he got hit high around the thigh” Walt Williams said. “They had to put a rod in his leg and he will be crutches for about two weeks. Right now he is eager to get into his rehab and be ready for practice in the summer. The rod shouldn’t affect him at all, not with his speed or anything else he does.”

It appeared Williams took a direct hit from Taglianetti’s helmet, but Walt Williams said he felt the play was clean.

“Its football and you have to expect anything when you are out there on the field,” Walt Williams said. “It was a freak accident and the process is now what do you do from here. Jared will be fine. He has been through a lot. Nothing has come easy to him.”

SMU won the game 28-6 and Williams was the leading rusher for the Mustangs with 40 yards on 11 carries.