Q&A: Meet Bo Williams

AMES, Iowa - This week, cyclones.com sat down with Florida transfer Johnny "Bo" Williams, the newest member of the ISU football team. In this Q&A, Williams talks about coming to Iowa State in his first interview since arriving in Ames at the beginning of the spring semester. A free video interview is also available by clicking the "WATCH" link above.

Cyclones.com: Where did you grow up?
BW: “I grew up in Pompano Beach, Florida. I grew up in Florida my whole life: Ft. Lauderdale and Pompano Beach.”

Cyclones.com: What do your parents do?
BW:“My mom is a cosmetologist and my dad is a delivery technician.”

Cyclones.com: When was the first time you played football?
BW: “I started playing football when I was about six years old. My dad just put me in the Pee-Wee league with the little kids and I was one of the fastest guys on the team. I knew nothing about football. All I knew was that when I got the football I just had to go that way. I was out-running everyone. As the years went by, I started to develop my natural ability and my dad worked with me and my little brothers. He trained us to become better running backs. My dad taught me my footwork and everything. I developed into a complete back.”

Cyclones.com: Brothers and sisters?
BW: “I have two brothers and a sister. I am the oldest.

Cyclones.com: Tell us about playing high school football:
BW: “My freshman year I was at the Coral Springs Charter School and I played varsity football. Then I moved and changed schools. I played high school football at Northeast High School (starting with his sophomore year). I learned a lot from my high school coach. I learned to be patient and to just wait for my time. He had me in a slot position because of my speed. I got a lot of carries off the edge, and at that time, we had a running back that was a senior. Once he graduated, I moved into his position. I was a junior playing tailback and I did pretty well. I gained some weight and my speed was always there. I developed into being good running back.”

Cyclones.com: You also ran track. Any memories?
BW: “When I competed for a track club, I was a Junior Olympics champion in the 200 meters. I went to Tampa to compete in the finals at the Junior Olympics championship. I came on the track with the fifth-fastest time. In the finals of the 200 meters, I'm in lane three. We're in this big stadium and it's packed full of people. This is the main event that everyone has been waiting for and I was nervous. I didn't know what to think or do. I was thinking, ?Man, these guys are going to kill me.' I just used everything my dad and my coaches had taught me to just drive, drive, drive. Stay low, pump your arms and move your feet. As I got in my blocks, the announcer says, ?Runners take your mark....get set.' I'm was nervous and BAM! I'm driving and thinking stay low, stay low, stay low. Once I came off the curve, I realized I was by myself. I'm thinking, ?Oh man!' I broke the record.”

Cyclones.com: Highest moments in football?
BW: “I'm proud that I'm here playing college ball. Out of all of the guys in my family, I'm the only one that's made it this far. I feel very good about that.”

Cyclones.com: When did you first hear of Iowa State?
BW: “In high school, I was always interested in college ball. Iowa State was recruiting me. I didn't pay attention to that because I was thinking about Florida, Florida State, LSU and Texas. I came into the University of Florida out of high school and had a year there. It is a great school. But I wanted to be in an offense where the running backs carry the ball at least 20 times a game. The (Florida) coaches were very supportive. I asked for a release and they gave it to me. The next day, I picked many offers. I picked up LSU, North Carolina and different schools.

“My (high school) coaches told me Iowa State was legit. I guess (Iowa State quarterbacks coach Tony) Petersen was down there and had talked to them. I said, ?No, I hadn't thought about Iowa State.'

“Coach Petersen gave me a phone call and we talked. It's hard for a young man to bond with a coach. A lot of coaches will tell you certain stuff you want to hear, but coach Petersen was straight up with me. I thanked him and really appreciated how he told it to me straight. He asked if we could set up a visit and I said ?sure.' I asked when and he said, ?This weekend!'” This was on a Thursday. He wanted me to get on a plane the next morning. I called my parents and said, ?Let's do it!'

“I packed my bags, got on the plane and headed to Iowa State. I got off the plane and (Iowa State assistant director of football operations) Erik Link greeted me and took me in a van and headed to ISU. I got here and met all the coaches and strength and conditioning coaches. I thought, ?Man, these guys are really cool.' It felt like home, with all the guys, even around (Iowa State head) coach (Gene) Chizik. It felt like home and that's what mattered to me most. I wanted a home away from home. I just felt so comfortable around those guys. The football team comforted me and brought me in as one of their brothers. I felt so comfortable around them and knew this is the place I wanted to be. I didn't let anyone know, but I knew these guys were keeping it real and that's all that matters to me. I feel that if a person just goes out of their way to show me that this is a nice place and a place for you, it makes it feel like home. I just took this opportunity. I committed to Iowa State University.”

Cyclones.com: What is your major?
BW: “Kinesiology. I want to be a strength and conditioning coach. It's just something I've always wanted to do. I love how the human body functions and how it operates. I just love it, so I'm going to do whatever it takes to achieve that goal. I love school.”

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