Serving up the catch of the day
Senior receiver Williams looks to continue highlight-reel playmaking

By Katrina Garcia
The Collegian

HE’S BEEN CALLED A SUCCESS STORY, a late bloomer, and a player with “freakish talent.” But if there’s one thing Paul Williams has never been known for, it’s being a big bully.

“He’s a nice guy,” Fresno State associate head coach and special teams coach John Baxter said of the 6’2”, 210-lb. wide receiver. “A really nice guy.”

So what makes this senior, who’s in the running to be a first-round NFL draft pick, stand out from all the other nice guys out there?

“He’s not an egomaniac,” Baxter continued. “He is a very humble, gracious guy who physically, if he wanted to, could tear the skin off your face.”

Maybe it’s best to stay on this gentle giant’s good side.

Williams, who’s been making heads turn with such accomplishments as his phenomenal 17 yards per catch average last season and his 98-yard reception against Boise State, it would make sense to hear a sense of pride in his voice. Or perhaps hear him compare himself to the likes of other all-star wide receivers.

That couldn’t be farther from the truth.

“I try to do everything it takes to get my team to win,” Williams said. “Stats aren’t really that important to me. I don’t think I’ve accomplished as much as other players have. Hopefully, I’ll be at that level at the end of the season.”

Perhaps Williams compares himself too much to other football players, or rather, members of his own family. Williams’ brother J.D. played for the Bulldogs from 1986 to 1989 and went on to play for the Buffalo Bills and later become the team’s secondary coach. Williams even remembers attending his brother’s football games at Fresno State and being awestruck by the gargantuan players.

“I thought those guys were the biggest guys in the world,” the 22-year-old chuckled. “Now I’m one of them.”

While being a football star may seem to run in the family, success didn’t come easily for Williams. Baxter remembers Williams as a freshman with a whole lot of strength— but hardly any knowledge as to how to use it.

“He’s come a long way,” Baxter said. “He’s always been extremely physically talented, but he didn’t know how to use his talents. Functionally, he’s one of the strongest, fastest guys on the team. He’s a well-rounded, complete player now. He’s a late bloomer.”

Both Williams and Baxter agree that the coaches’ determination and belief in Williams’ talent are what turned him into the stellar player he is today.

“Fresno State coaches really do care about you,” Williams said. “The coaches are genuine and they do whatever it takes to help you.”

Baxter added, “I think his success is because of the people around him. I’m thankful I’ve been able to be a part of it.”

Anyone can see the progress he’s made just by looking at his stats. In 2004, Williams had five receptions for 70 yards. The following season, he had 43 receptions for a team-high of 729 yards.

Williams’ success has caught the eyes of many spectators. But out of all the young aspiring football stars tugging at his jersey for an autograph, you won’t find Williams’ number one fan. In fact, you won’t even see him in the stands.

It’s his brother Curtis, who passed away four years ago.

Curtis Williams was a senior strong safety at the University of Washington in 2000 when he suffered a spinal cord injury during a game against Stanford. He was left paralyzed below the neck and later died in May 2002.

“Even in his condition, he still requested to come to my football games,” Williams said. “He was my motivation to play and he still is.”

His brother was later honored in 2004 by the Huskies, who painted Williams’ number 25 on the field. A tribute, Williams said, that made him proud.

“Tears kind of came to my eyes,” Williams said. “Washington treated my brother really great. I felt proud to see it.”

Now in his senior year, Williams will soon make way for other young players to receive both passes and notoriety.

“I try to be a role model, lead by example,” Williams said of the new batch of receivers. “The guys behind me have a lot of talent. The point I try to get across is times will get hard and you can’t give up on plays. You can’t give up on anything.”

Even though Williams’ football career may not end after this season, he knows the friendships he has with his fellow teammates will never compare to any other team he’s on.

“I’ll miss the camaraderie and the team unity the most,” Williams said. “They’re your best friends, your social circle. Everybody feels the exact same way you’re feeling. In the NFL, it’s not like that. It’s a business.”

He’ll also miss the Bulldog fans, whom he says are “probably the most unique fans” in the country. “They have a lot of character,” Williams said. “They let us know when we needed to get it in gear. But it’s good to have fans like that.”

So will we see this Bulldog on Sunday Night Football after he graduates?

“Hopefully, I’ll be doing well in whatever I do,” Williams said. “Football can only last for so long. Who knows what will happen tomorrow.”

For Williams, tomorrow can only bring greater things.

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