One.
 
That's the number of home games remaining in the senior season of one of the nation's elite quarterbacks on the FCS level.
 
One.
 
That's the number of opportunities left that Fighting Camels fans have in 2023 to see senior Hajj-Malik Williams direct one of the most potent offenses in the country at Barker-Lane Stadium.
 
In other words, get your tickets now and have your snacks ready when you get to your seat because you won't want to miss one snap.
 
Since earning the starting quarterback job as a freshman in 2019, Williams has literally re-written the Fighting Camel record books.
 
Heading into Saturday's road contest at Richmond, he stands among the nation's top-10 in eight individual categories, while directing the on-field vision of offensive coordinator Anthony Weeden's Chaos attack.
 
Through the first seven games of the season, Campbell (4-3 overall, 3-2 CAA) ranks ninth in the country in scoring offense (37.3 points per game), 14th in red zone offense (.914) and 14th in total offense (431.4 yards per outing).
 
The trigger man in that attack found his way to Buies Creek from Atlanta by way of West Point, N.Y.  Now he ranks second in the country in completion percentage (.749), third in passing efficiency (171.5), not to mention seventh in points responsibility (110) and 10th in total offense (290.4).
 
How, you might ask, did Hajj-Malik Williams get here, and in the transfer portal era, choose to stay in the Creek?
 
A soccer player at three, who began playing quarterback at the age of five, Williams' mother, Veverly, signed him up for sports programs year-round.
 
"My mom wanted to make sure I wasn't in trouble, keeping me busy with sports and up with my schoolwork," said Williams.  "I fell in love with the sport, won a lot of championships, and made a lot of relationships."
 
Growing up a Falcons (and later a Philadelphia Eagles) fan, Williams admired the play of Atlanta's Michael Vick, who was the top pick in the 2001 NFL draft and went on to play in four Pro Bowls over his 13-year career.
 
An all-region quarterback at Hapeville (Ga.) Charter, Williams accepted an offer to attend the U.S. Military Academy prep school, despite a late offer from hometown Georgia Tech.
 
"The day before signing day, I was offered by Georgia Tech," said Williams, "but I figured if I was going to a school that ran the triple option, I might as well go to a school that would set me up for life after ball.
 
Military Prep
Expecting a more "ROTC-type lifestyle" at the Military Academy prep, Williams instead discovered a regimented atmosphere.
 
"You were an Army soldier first, then a student, then a football player," said Williams.  "That lifestyle is great if you want it, but it just wasn't for me.  Although during my time there I learned a lot about leadership."
 
While wandering in the forest in the Hudson River valley during a land navigation exercise, Williams decided that his future did not include playing for the Black Knights.
 
Campbell, which also offered a scholarship to Williams out of high school, had a connection through former offensive line coach, who was the college roommate of Winston Gordon, Williams' coach at Hapeville Charter.
 
Once Williams visited the Buies Creek campus and met with head coach Mike Minter, he was sold on a school that had just re-started its football program over a decade earlier.
 
Freshman All-American
He started Campbell's opener at FBS member Troy and tossed two touchdown passes in his collegiate debut.  Williams led the Camels to a 6-1 start on the season, that ended with the team finishing 3-3 in Big South play.  He was named first-team Freshman All-American by HERO sports and the Big South Conference offensive freshman of the year as he became the first frosh in program history to throw for more than 2,000 yards.
 
During Williams' second semester in Buies Creek, the world came to a near standstill due to the Covid-19 pandemic.  While a number of FCS opponents chose to play a portion of the 2020 schedule the following spring, Minter and the Fighting Camels elected to play four games against FBS foes that fall – with limited or no fans in the stands – and forego the Big South schedule in the spring.
 
Named the Big South preseason offensive player of the year, Williams guided his team in road games at Georgia Southern, Appalachian State, Coastal Carolina and Wake Forest.  In Statesboro, he accounted for 310 yards of total offense and three scores in a game where the Camels came up just short of their first win over an FBS program.  After cutting the Eagles lead to 27-26 on a scoring pass to Jalen Kelsey with 14 seconds to go, Williams' pass to Julian Hill on the ensuing two-point conversion was incomplete.
 
After starting all four games against high profile teams, Williams faced a decision of where to stay or leave Campbell for another program.
 
"Coach Minter is the reason I'm still here," said Williams.  "I had opportunities to go elsewhere, but the people, they're not everywhere.  That's what made me stay in Buies Creek because of Coach Mint.  He's a special guy."
 
Injuries, then a fresh start
In the 2021 campaign, Williams was sidelined by injury for more than half of the season and played in only four contests.  He did throw for a season-high 268 yards at No. 3 James Madison, but the Camels fell to 3-8 overall, 2-5 in the Big South.
 
"The Most High really sat me down," Williams recalled.  "Those injuries, the time off, makes you be still and listen.  It was devastating to me at the time, but it really was a blessing in disguise because I was able to sit back, analyze what my deficiencies in the game were and how was I going to change."
 
The following season, a new offensive coordinator arrived and armed with experience and a new scheme, Williams threw for a school-record 2221 yards, including a single-game mark of 426 yards at North Carolina A&T.
 
"Coach Weeden really connected me with how offenses should be run, playing to the players' strengths, so that's really how my evolution started," said Williams.
 
Beyond his on-field performance, Williams began to grow in other aspects as a student and person.  He grew from a below average as a freshman to posting a solid 3.0 since.  He also added an all-important leadership aspect to his role on the team.
 
"Coach Minter gave me (the desire) to be open and willing," said Williams.  "Whatever stage we are in life, we think we know what we're doing, what our truths and beliefs are in that moment.  But there's more to it.  Coach Mint said to be open and willing, then he poured into us these principles of life that make you successful no matter what you do."
 
That openness prompted Williams to reevaluate his diet, how he spent his time in and out of practice and his relationship with his teammates.  The change since his freshman year is evident.
 
I've changed in every aspect you can think of in life, starting with diet," admitted Williams.  "Eating my vegetables. How you do anything is how you do everything. I hated that quote. I had a 1.7 GPA my freshman year, then Coach Minter sat me down and told me that I cannot be a leader of this team with a 1.7.
 
Diet, studies and training were not the only things that changed in Williams.
 
"When leading people, you can't tell them what to do, you have to show them you care about them," said Williams.  "(During my freshman season), I didn't know I had to ask my teammates about their family back home, what their aspirations are, what motivates them to play this sport.  When you're in the fire, they know you have their best interests at heart and makes it easier for them to follow you."
 
While fans and those outside the program notice statistics, honors and highlight reels, others closer to Williams see his growth in different ways.
 
"Hajj had some success his freshman year, then had some setbacks after that. I've seen him go through some highs and some lows and always seen him respond with integrity," said sixth-year senior center Isaiah Burch.  "His leadership has grown tremendously; the way he's able to command a room and our offense. He's really changed himself as a person, from top down. He's taken the classroom seriously and strives to be excellent in every way imaginable on and off the field, and you really see it on game day what kind of guy he has molded himself to be."
 
Leadership opportunities off the field
In August, Williams was nominated for the Allstate Good Works team by the American Football Coaches Association.   He is heavily involved in the greater community, volunteering for events such as the Special Olympics, Polar Plunge, Night to Shine, as well as Read Across America at Buies Creek Elementary.  Williams also helped donate to and promote Campbell Football's inaugural Food and Toy Drive, put on in conjunction with Harnett County Veteran Services, served at the Buies Creek Food Pantry, and is an active participant with the Lillington Boys and Girls Club.
 
He credits his former tight end Julian Hill with showing him the importance of community outreach.
 
"I've stretched myself in ways that might be uncomfortable, but that's where true growth comes from," said Williams.  "I was inspired to do community service because of Julian Hill.  He's one of my best friends. I would see how fatigued he would be after practice, but I would see how he would go to a Club Uplift or other activity.  He taught me the philosophy of serving.  When you serve, you do it genuinely, but you obtain way more in return.  Going to high five a kid, to me it may mean nothing, but to that kid, it might inspire him to go to college or play football."
 
Self-described as spiritual more than religious, Williams even went through daily fasting during Ramadan so that he could relate to members of the Muslim faith.
 
"I'm not Muslim, but I wanted to see what the effects were," said Williams.  "That's when my eating habits really changed, and it was during spring ball."
 
A new challenge
Not only did the Camels face a nationally-fourth ranked William & Mary team on opening night 2023, but they also squared off against their first conference opponent as a new member of the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA).  Running Weeden's Chaos attack, Williams has directed the Camels to road wins over The Citadel, Monmouth and Hampton, plus a Homecoming triumph over Maine.
 
Campbell's three losses have come by a total of 15 points – all against teams that have spent time in the national polls – including a 49-48 OT setback at No. 15 NC Central.
 
Through seven games, Williams has completed passes to 15 different teammates with VJ Wilkins (38), Chaney Fitzgerald (34) and Kelsey (26) hauling in the most receptions.  Once recruited as a triple-option QB, Williams is already Campbell's all-time leader in passing yards (7539) and TDs (54).
 
In addition to a strong and accurate arm and the experience of 37 collegiate games (and four-plus seasons of film study), Williams also possesses an incredible ability to extend plays through his awareness and speed of foot.  He has rushed for 23 touchdowns and 1469 yards, a total that stands sixth in Campbell's modern era.
 
Williams constantly credits his Creator, coaches, mentors and teammates for his accomplishments and accolades.
 
"I use the term, 'The Most High' because I don't want people to deter from my message.  When you say God, or Allah, you feel like you're talking to one specific religion.  I'm not trying to get into that realm, because truthfully, nobody knows the answer.  If I'm open and willing, I don't want to say just because you're a Christian, Muslim, Atheist, Jewish or whatever you may be, that your message won't help me grow because I turned it off because of your beliefs."
 
Recognizable gifts
"What makes Hajj special? It's his leadership, of course, and how he sees life," said Minter.  "He sees it with the big picture in mind.  That's his gift.  He also understands where to get the ball. As a quarterback, your position is to be a point guard and get the ball to the playmakers.  In order to do that, you've got to be a student of the game, understand what the defense is thinking and what they are going to do to stop me."
 
Beyond practice reps, weights and conditioning and film study, Minter also says that Williams is motivated by the success of others.
 
"Unlocking the greatness in people motivates him to help somebody else be great," said Minter.
 
More work ahead
One year ago, with two conference losses through late-October, Campbell's chances of securing a berth in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision playoffs were remote.  This season – with three league games remaining – the team's goal of making its first postseason trip is still very much a reality.
 
In 2022, five CAA members earned berths in the FCS playoffs.  A win in the home finale (Nov. 11) over No. 5 Delaware along with road contests at Richmond and North Carolina A&T would more than likely send the Camels to the next step.  And don't forget a Nov. 4 date at the FBS's 17th-ranked team North Carolina.
 
Next step
Last month, Williams' former teammates Hill (Miami Dolphins) and Brevin Allen (Los Angeles Chargers) became the first Campbell players to compete in an NFL regular season game.  The dream of nearly every player who walks through the doors of the Warren Athletic Center is to play on Sundays.
 
Williams is no different, but his lifetime goals remain broad.
 
"Not just in ball, but in my day-to-day life, I just to be a better version of me," said Williams.  "If I do everything in my power and that outcome doesn't happen, that's okay.  (Someday) being a husband, a father, a leader in my community, those are things that truly matter. The sport is something I want to do, if The Most High allows it in his will. I don't control that.  What I do control is how I go about my process day-to-day with the outcome not in mind."
 
Defensive coordinators up and down the East Coast, take notice.