Sam Pittman addresses Tre Williams departure, defensive end plans for Outback Bowl

Arkansas Razorbacks defensive end Tre Williams was arrested on Saturday night with a DWI charge. Following his arrest, Williams decided to opt out of the Outback Bowl to pursue taking the next step to the NFL.

After his decision, Sam Pittman commented on Williams’ departure, also addressing Arkansas’ plan at defensive end to offset the loss of Williams.

“Well I think we’ll be fine, first of all,” Pittman said of Arkansas replacing Williams at defensive end. “But Jashaud Stewart, Eric Thomas would take some of those. I think they would be the guys that would probably take a little bit more than what they normally have. We’ll move Eric down there some. We have a few more inside players. It depends if we play three or four down front, which we will play both. But I think that’s probably who, right off the top of my head, would take the extra reps.”

Williams spent the first four years of his collegiate career at Missouri. This season, Williams led Arkansas with six sacks, also adding 28 tackles and 6.5 tackles for loss. In his five-year college football career, Williams has 104 tackles, 14.5 sacks, 21 tackles for loss and two forced fumbles in 54 games.

Pittman was later asked about whether or not a suspension was in play if Williams opted to remain with the team.

“Oh I don’t know why I’d need to answer it,” Pittman said when asked if Williams could have been suspended if he remained with Arkansas. “He’s opted out of the bowl game. I mean, he’s not on the team. We take them case by case but he’s opted to go into the NFL.

“I would have suspended him for a game. I would have made him run, asked him to go get some rehab help. And then we’d have gone on a game to game situation after that.”

Williams addresses, apologizes for his arrest, decides on future at Arkansas

Williams tweeted a message following his arrest, apologizing for his actions while also announcing his intentions for next season.

“My time here has been amazing ever since I have arrived last summer,” Williams began. “Although it was for a short time y’all welcomed me with open arms and allowed me to experience the best collegiate season I could have asked for. With that being said, I have decided it is best for me to pursue my NFL dreams and move on to the next level.

“With regards to what happened early this morning I want to apologize for what occured and not representing the state and logo the way that it should be represented, which is with pride and honor. I know that nothing I say can change what has happened but as a man I have accepted the consequences and will do better to prove that I am not that type of person.

“I’m sincerely grateful for the relationships that I have made and the connections that I have built here at the University of Arkansas. I will always consider this place a second home and wish nothing but the best for the team and for Razorback nation.”