It's hard to be more efficient and explosive than Xavier Williams was last Saturday.
Iowa's third-year running back took advantage of an increased role to turn in a huge performance in the Hawkeyes' 55-0 win over Northern Iowa. With Kamari Moulton and LJ Phillips Jr. banged up, Williams was part of a stable of backs who filled in. And he was excellent.
The Schererville, Ind., native only got six carries in the lopsided victory, but he made the most of every single one of them. Williams finished the game with a team-leading 151 rushing yards and three touchdowns. In one game, he matched his career touchdown total. That performance earned him some high praise from Pro Football Focus.
PFF had Williams as its highest-graded running back in Week 3 of
the college football season. He earned an impressive 91.2 overall grade for his dominant game.
Highest Graded Running Back from Week 3:
— PFF College (@PFF_College) September 21, 2026
🟡 Xavier Williams, Iowa: 91.2@HawkeyeFootball pic.twitter.com/7n8tvTZNoQ
With Moulton and Phillips absent from the Week 4 depth chart, there's a chance Williams gets another starring role in Ann Arbor on Saturday. He showed last week what he's capable of when given the opportunity.
The Hawkeyes will need their running game to be great if they want to walk out of the Big House with a win. Williams could be a major factor.
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This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Iowa football's Xavier Williams cards highest PFF Week 3 RB grade
