Since he was a child, Jarveon Williams has been taught his actions speak louder than words.

The UTSA senior running back doesn’t like to talk about himself, deflecting most of the credit and praise to others.

Williams will finish his home career Saturday night at the Alamodome when UTSA faces Charlotte. A victory will catapult them to their first bowl game.

It will be a fitting culmination for Williams. His four-year career has helped him mature as a student, team leader, father and role model in the community.

After coming to UTSA as a recruiting afterthought, Williams has developed into a stalwart, rushing for 2,220 career yards, including 727 on 172 carries this season.

“Just looking back and reflecting on everything I’ve gained since I’ve been here since I started has been amazing,” Williams said. “It’s been a long journey, and I’m just thankful to be a part of it.”

It’s hard to imagine UTSA would be on the brink of bowl eligibility without Williams’ contributions. He will finish his college career with virtually every rushing record in school history.

“He’s been a joy to be around and a joy to coach,” UTSA coach Frank Wilson said. “I hope one day Jarveon is the kind of guy that you want to put on your coaching staff. He means that much to us.”

Williams is set to graduate in May with a degree in communications. He started a foundation that provided free football clinics to underprivileged children across the city last summer. He was among four UTSA players whose images were included on trading cards that were given out by the San Antonio Police Department to children as a way to build rapport in the community.

Each day after he finishes his evening meal with the team, Williams returns to Universal City to care for his 18-month-old daughter, Kailani.

“She’s a big part of his life,” Williams’ mother, Tyishea Wagner, said. “Even though his days are long, he makes that time to travel over to her to be with her. He makes sure he’s here to give her a bath and get her to bed. He does that about every night.”

The challenge of serving as a doting father along with everything else in his life might be daunting. But it’s clear Williams wouldn’t have it any other way.

“I definitely embrace fatherhood,” Williams said. “It’s changed me as a person and as a man. It helped me mature a lot faster and helped me see things in a new perspective.

“When something seems so bad, you go home and you see her and it’s really not that bad. Coming home and seeing her smile or being able to hug her really just brightens my day.”

Williams was thrust into a position of responsibility much earlier than most of his friends when his father died. Williams was 7 years old at the time. It quickly made him the man of his house, pushing him into a role unusual for a young boy.

Throughout his youth, Williams showed remarkable responsibility from those early days. He always was there for his mother and his younger brother, Julon, now a standout junior quarterback at Judson.

“Jarveon has always been more mature than his years,” his mother said. “He always wanted to be there to support me and his little brother. He’s not a vocal leader, but more a man of his actions. And his perseverance is amazing.”

That dedication was seen by his former coach at Judson, Mark Smith, who took over the program from Jim Rackley before Williams’ senior season with the Rockets.

Williams had been a strong defensive back to that point, but Smith thought his natural talents would help the program more at running back.

“His uncle had taken him under his wing and really established his work ethic,” Smith said. “I remember we had a workout for the team and when they got there, Tre Flowers and Jarveon had already been in the gym at 5 a.m. earlier that morning. We needed somebody to be a rock for us, and that’s what Jarveon developed into.”

Williams has continued his leadership for the Roadrunners.

More Information When, where: 6 p.m. Saturday, Alamodome TV/Radio: campusinsiders.com (online), KBUC-FM 92.5 & 93.3 Series: UTSA leads the series 1-0 after winning 30-27 in overtime last season in Charlotte. Storyline: The Roadrunners would claim bowl eligibility for the first time in school history with a victory against the 49ers, who have played well since starting 2-6. Charlotte can win if: It plays loose and relaxed and gets big plays out of productive dual-threat QB Hasaan Klugh, and a defense that ranks eighth nationally with 16 interceptions.. UTSA can win if: It relies on a productive running game and stays away from long-yardage situations where Charlotte’s talented group of defensive backs that can muck up the passing game. Tim Griffin Online Video: Watch Roadrunners coach and player interviews at ExpressNews.com

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It will finally hit him, he said, when he’s out on his field Saturday, accepting congratulations from his coaches and family before his final home game.

“Having them there and being able to spend time with them is reassuring to me as a person and a man and not just as a football player,” Williams said. “Having that close bond with them is basically what drives me to be who I am and do what I do.

“My family will be there at the Alamodome. It will be special, and I can’t wait.”

tgriffin@express-news.net

Twitter: @TimGriffinBg12