Game 5 Player Spotlight: Latrell Williams
GAME 5 MATCHUP: USF (1-3, 0-2 in AAC) at Temple (0-1, 0-1 in AAC)
DAY & TIME: Saturday, noon
LOCATION: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
TV: ESPN+
RADIO: Over the Air: 95.3 FM/ WDAE 620 AM &
Digital: Bulls Unlimited
SERIES: Temple leads, 4-2
GAME NOTES: USF |
Temple
By TOM ZEBOLD
USF Senior Writer
TAMPA, OCT. 17, 2020 –
Latrell Williams has triumphed over tragedy and tirelessly endured the transfer journey to become a big-time target for USF's passing attack.
Last week, the speedy wide receiver had the type of game he's been waiting years for, setting career highs with eight receptions for 93 yards in the Bulls' homecoming game against ECU.
"I felt like it's been a long time coming," he said.
Williams is definitely right.
Rated as a four-star recruit by ESPN, the Lake City, Fla., native seemed to be primed for early college football success when he signed with Tennessee in 2016. As a prep senior, Williams caught 68 passes for 1,035 yards and had nine touchdown grabs for Columbia High School.
Instead of showcasing his 4.27-second 40-yard dash speed and sure hands, Williams had to play the waiting game. One of the fastest players in the SEC redshirted in 2016 and saw action in just two games the next two seasons.
From there, Williams took his talents to Kansas, transferring to Independence Community College prior to spring practice in 2019. Shortly before last season, Williams arrived in Tampa, where he previously had been recruited by the Bulls.
"No matter what, there was gonna be a light at the end of the tunnel," he said. "Fortunately, that light was getting a scholarship to come here to USF."
Unfortunately, Williams had to wait some more for his chance to shine in the NCAA spotlight after his waiver to play right away didn't get approved.
Instead of getting down, the positive playmaker made the most of last year, learning more about himself as a person and continuing to pursue his all-important college degree. Much like former USF receiver standout and NC State transfer
Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Williams used a college football season – and summer – to prepare for his junior campaign with the Bulls.
"It was just one of those things where I was going to work, show the coaches then and the coaches now what I can bring to the table when I finally do get my opportunity to play," he said. "I just knew I had to keep working on my craft while I was waiting to be eligible."
Slowed by an injury in fall camp, Williams took three games to really get back into the football groove, totaling four catches for 63 yards while numerous USF quarterbacks tried to seize the starting role.
Jordan McCloud did just that on his career passing night last Saturday and Williams was his go-to guy, especially in the first half when he snagged six strikes for 81 yards.
Williams' 93 total receiving yards marked USF's most by a Bull in a single game since
Johnny Ford reached triple digits against South Carolina State in Week 3 of the 2019 season. Thanks to the eight-catch night, Williams now leads the Bulls with 156 yards on 12 receptions heading into Saturday's battle with Temple in the City of Brotherly Love.
"That was the first time (Williams) really got a good bit of targets and we were able to deliver the ball to him. That was really good to see," offensive coordinator
Charlie Weis Jr. said. "I'm not surprised by the performance. We kinda thought he would be one of our best players going into the season. I'm just glad that it finally came to fruition."
So was Williams.
"It was really big for me confidence-wise," he said. "I've been in college for a little minute and it just hadn't happened yet. Finally, it's coming together a little bit."
Making His Family Proud – No Matter the Obstacles
Talk to Williams for "a little minute" and you'll soon discover this Bull to be very mature, respectful and truly grateful to be successfully pursuing his goals in college.
Williams has had a great example to follow.
His mother, Ternita Smith, showed him how to work hard and do whatever it took to become a registered nurse in Lake City, Fla.
"I always knew at some point I was gonna go to college and get an education," Williams said. "I watched my mom go through school and still be able to fulfill her dreams of what she wanted to be able to do to take care of me. I want to do that for my family one day."
Even as a child, Williams found a way to do a lot for Ternita during a devastating experience for the family. When he was 7, his 13-year-old brother, Calvin, passed away from a brain tumor. Williams still fondly remembers the "mother's boys" having a blast on the PlayStation video game sticks.
"Growing up at the time, I knew I wanted to try to be the best person for my mom I could be," he said. "… That was really big for me. It helped mold me. Now with my little sister being here, I knew that I also wanted to be a role model for her, go to college and do the right thing for her."
Williams is doing just that for 13-year-old Trinity, and he's making Ternita very proud in the process.
In addition to becoming a breakout Bull on the football field, the sociology major has put himself in a position to receive his degree this December.
"I'm just ready to graduate at this point," he said with a smile.
More Latrell Tidbits
SPEEDSTER ON THE TRACK: Williams said he really started to hit his stride in football in 10th grade at Columbia High School in Lake City, Fla. Prior to that, he was already putting his 4.27 40 speed to good use in another sport as a ninth-grader. "I had a pretty good track experience," he said. "I was always the fastest in the surrounding counties." Williams continued to compete in track through his junior year, which included a memorable trip to state in the 4x100 event with very notable relay teammates. Trey Marshall is now a safety for the Denver Broncos in the NFL after playing college ball for FSU. Zedrick Woods went on to be a very productive defensive back at Ole Miss. Alex Weber also played receiver for Ole Miss and earned his college degree in 2018.- THIS BULL IS A BIG FAN OF ANIMALS: Asked about his interests off the field, Williams' reply was very interesting: "I'm a little weird. I like to watch animal shows on my off time. I'm real big on animals, I love animals." Animal Planet, Discovery Channel, Netflix documentaries and social media are places Williams likes to learn all about creatures, especially his favorite – snakes. "Green tree pythons are really sparking my interest right now," he said.
About USF Football
The USF football program first took the field in 1997 and completed its 23rd season (20th at the FBS level) in 2019. The Bulls have posted 15 winning seasons, earned 14 All-America selections and 29 first-team all-conference selections and has seen 30 players selected in the NFL Draft. USF has made 10 bowl games appearances (going 6-4 in those games) and posted a program record six straight appearances from 2005-2010. The Bulls most recently made four straight bowl appearances from 2015-18 and posted back-to-back 10-win seasons in 2016 and 2017, logging a program-record 11-2 mark in 2016 while finishing both seasons ranked in the Top 25. USF spent a program record 20 straight weeks ranked in the Top 25 during the 2016 and 2017 seasons and reached as high as No. 2 in the national rankings during the 2007 season.
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- #GoBulls –
