From an outdoor perspective, Utah State’s dramatic, double-overtime, bowl-clinching 44-41 win over New Mexico on Friday could have regarded like the start of quarterback Levi Williams’ comeback story.
The third-string QB broke out with 351 all-purpose yards and 5 complete touchdowns in his first begin since 2021, and he nonetheless has one yr of school eligibility left.
However the dynamic efficiency that punched the Aggies’ ticket to bowl season is extra like a fairytale ending to the closing chapter of his soccer ebook as a result of Williams intends to forgo his remaining yr of school eligibility to pursue a dream of turning into a Navy SEAL. Williams will full his Grasp of Enterprise Administration from USU’s enterprise faculty in December.
“It’s all the time been in my coronary heart my total life. My mother was Military. My grandparents had been Military and Navy,” he stated. “Folks within the army are all the time what I wish to emulate as a result of they’re a number of the finest individuals, finest groups on the planet.”
The 22-year-old got here to the choice about two years in the past when a Navy chaplain spoke at a Fellowship of Christian Athletes assembly Williams attended. Williams was deciding between the Navy and the Military Particular Forces when the chaplain linked him with a former SEAL who he now trains alongside and appears to as a mentor.
Relying on the bowl, Williams says he plans to play another sport for Utah State. (Photograph: Sam Wasson / Getty Pictures)
It’s an unconventional path for an athlete who was rated a three-star prospect popping out of highschool and nonetheless has the talents to seek out success on the soccer subject, however Utah State coach Blake Anderson says it’s a transparent match for Williams.
“The man is simply distinctive in each sense. I believe his true sense of selflessness and combat for the man subsequent to him is one thing that’s tangible and actual. You’ll be able to see it,” Anderson stated. “His capability for work and to do robust issues and to combat by way of issues which might be laborious, troublesome and painful is simply one thing that, in our society in the present day, is difficult to see. I believe he’ll do a tremendous job. I can’t think about having anyone higher suited to what he’s eager to do. I’m tremendous happy with the trail he’s chosen.”
Earlier than Friday, Williams was buried on the depth chart and nearly completely enjoying on particular groups. A switch from Wyoming, Williams grew to become the first QB to hurry for 200 yards and 4 touchdowns in a bowl whereas main the Cowboys to a win within the 2021 Well-known Idaho Potato Bowl. However with Utah State, he entered the season backing up Cooper Legas and McCae Hillstead.
When each QBs went down as a consequence of harm, Williams stepped in, and the Aggies adjusted their offense to raised go well with his huge arm power and talent to make performs along with his toes. Although Anderson stated Williams beforehand struggled with consistency in practices this season, he approached the beginning position with calm confidence. Even a automotive accident the Tuesday earlier than the sport couldn’t shake his nerves. One other driver pulled out in entrance of Williams on the freeway and he totaled his automotive, he stated, however he walked away with out a scratch and took it as an omen.
“I used to be telling my head coach, ‘You realize what? I believe it is a signal God actually desires me to play on this sport, as a result of if not, it might’ve been loads worse,’” he stated.
Williams carried that swagger into the sport and shared it along with his teammates.
“When New Mexico determined to kick a subject objective within the second additional time, I checked out everyone on the sidelines and stated, ‘All proper, we’re gonna go win this sport. That was a giant mistake on their half.’”
He went on to seal the victory with a 13-yard landing run on a play that started with a dropped snap.
WHAT A GAME!!!! @USUFootball wins on a long term by Levi Williams#AtThePeak l #MWFB l #AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/R1uRfJiKS1
— Mountain West (@MountainWest) November 25, 2023
Relying on the bowl sport the Aggies get, Williams says he plans to play. The Athletic predicts Utah State will face Georgia State within the Well-known Idaho Potato Bowl on Dec. 23, which can imply Williams might come full circle to the location of his earlier record-breaking efficiency. Both manner, he’ll be content material with nevertheless his faculty profession ends.
“I really feel like I’m enjoying with home cash at this level,” he stated. “So I’m simply having as a lot enjoyable as I can and being the perfect teammate that I can.”
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(Photograph: Sam Wasson / Getty)
