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Provo • Jamaal Williams, an 18-year-old running back on the BYU football team, entered a not guilty plea last month after being arrested on a misdemeanor charge of underage drinking, court records show.
Williams' case in Utah County Justice Court was continued during a pretrial conference on Wednesday; a hearing in front of Judge Stevan W. Ridge has been set for May 7.
Williams, who is being represented by Spanish Fork attorney Aaron Wise, was cited and released on Feb. 16 by a Utah County Sheriff's deputy. Williams later had to report to the Utah County Jail as part of the court process but was immediately released without bail.
He pleaded not guilty to the charge on Feb. 21.
Williams turns 19 on April 3. The junior-to-be has participated in BYU spring football practices since they began on March 3.
A BYU football spokesperson could not be immediately reached for comment on Sunday.
A 6-foot, 200-pound starter from Fontana, Calif., Williams is expected to be BYU's primary ballcarrier in 2014 after he rushed for 1,233 yards and seven touchdowns as a sophomore in 2013.
He was named to the FBS All-Independent Team, the Phil Steele All-Independent First Team and was twice named the FBS Independent Offensive Player of the Week last fall.
Williams broke onto the BYU football scene as a 17-year-old freshman during the season's fifth game, rushing for 775 yards and 12 touchdowns, after running back Michael Alisa suffered a broken arm.