Ohio State RB Miyan Williams doesn't want to be called 'meatball'

Ohio State running back Miyan Williams has worked through fall camp to make sure he’s not forgotten in Buckeyes loaded running back rotation. What he does want forgotten, is his nickname.

Williams has been affectionally referred to as ‘Meatball’ by his Ohio State teammates and coaches. He doesn’t want the nickname to stick, as he told Lettermen Row on Wednesday.

“To be honest I don’t,” Williams responded when asked if he likes the ‘Meatball’ identity. “I don’t like the name. I’d rather be called ‘Chop’. Because Baron Browning gave me the nickname, started calling me ‘Pork Chop’ so I just kind of stuck with it.”

‘Chop’ is entering his second season with the Buckeyes. As a freshman, Williams saw just ten touches and had 64 total yards.

At 5-foot-8, 225 pounds, Miyan Williams is built in the mold of a downhill back. But, in the limited touches he received as a freshman, he surprised in the showing off some speed, and even a “little bit of wiggle”.

Entering 2021, Williams has a point to prove.

“Coming in I feel like I was overlooked a lot,” Williams said. “I just feel like I had a point to prove. Now I got to prove it.”

When asked how he plans to prove it, Williams answered

“Just continue to work hard every day and get me and my teammates better”

Miyan Williams is entrenched in a battle with running backs Master Teague, TreVeyon Henderson, Marcus Crowley and Evan Pryor. Almost all will likely see the field in 2021, but the battle is for distribution of touches.

Teague and Henderson are expected to see the most touches. Teague returns this season with 256 carries for 1,409 yards and 13 touchdowns to his name to date. He was the second leading rusher for the Buckeyes last season. Henderson enters the competition after a storied high school career in Virginia and was ranked the top running back in the 2021 class.

Of the five backs fighting for touches, Williams was the only one not rated at least a four-star coming out of high school.

Miyan Williams was a three-star recruit from Winton Woods in Ohio. In his high school career, he ran for 5,823 yards and 68 touchdowns. He opted to sign with Ohio State after decommitting from Iowa State. Williams held 13 total offers.