Russellville student-athlete signs to continue football at UNA

Ashaad Williams perhaps couldn’t help but get emotional Wednesday as he thought about all of the friends and family who have supported him along his journey to signing to play Division I football.

Williams signed with the University of North Alabama – the fourth athlete from this year’s football signing class at Russellville to sign for college ball.

“I’m glad it is finally here so now all I have to do is keep working to improve,” Williams said.

Russellville head football coach John Ritter said he has seen Williams grow from a small athlete to a talented prospect with a lot of work effort.

“UNA is getting a steal with him,” Ritter said. “He is going to be the first from UNA to go in the top 25 in the NFL draft.”

Ritter said what sets Williams apart is his drive and his will to always do his best.

“We would always set him up against the other team’s best receivers,” Ritter said. “It didn’t matter what kind of Division I athletes he went against because he had them covered. We could always depend on him.”

Williams said the decision to attend UNA was a no-brainer for him because it allows him to stay close to his family.

“Whenever I received an offer from them, I didn’t even have to think about it,” Williams said. “I knew from the start that was where I wanted to go because it is so close to home.”

Williams said he has worked hard to get to where he is, from bulking in size to working on his skills.

“I am very blessed to have so many different people who believed in me,” Williams said. “A lot of these guys believed in me and where I would be when I didn’t believe in myself.”

Although he is looking forward to playing football at UNA, with a hope of one day reaching the NFL, Williams said his ultimate college goal is getting his degree.

“He is a great guy who will do lots of great things,” Ritter said. “I am looking forward to watching him for the next four years.”

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Veteran Spotlight – Mousey Brown

News

Russellville First Baptist Church receives historical marker

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Meeting a higher standard – Russellville High School JROTC

News

RCS BOE announces new superintendent  

News

Miss Dream Girl Pageant names winners

Franklin County

First Metro Bank hosts FAME Girls’ Ranch donation drive

News

PCHS holds annual Shelby Grissom Memorial Fashion Show

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: VFW Post 5184 – ‘No One Does More For Veterans’

Features

Supporting students’ futures

Features

Red Bay Garden Club discusses amaryllis planting

Franklin County

UA announces local students for fall 2023 President’s, Dean’s, graduation lists

News

School news

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Veteran Spotlight – Troy Oliver

Franklin County

Appropriations bill passes, allots more than $3 million for new Russellville library/multipurpose center 

Franklin County

Franklin County Cattlemen’s Association names Cattleman of the Year 

Franklin County

Franklin County votes: Unofficial March 5 primary election results 

Franklin County

Funding for new Russellville library, multipurpose community center expected this week

Features

Faces of Franklin County: BTCPA

News

GFWC Russellville Book Lovers Club sponsors downtown art crawl

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Veteran Spotlight – Cody Bragwell

Franklin County

42nd annual Miss RHS pageant names winners 

News

Miss RHS pageant takes place Friday

Franklin County

Political announcement: David Hester speaks about run for reelection as county commissioner

Franklin County

BTCPA auditions for final production of season take place March 3-4 

x