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About Appeal tribune. (Silverton, Or.) 1999-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 19, 2016)
Sports B1 Appeal Tribune, www.silvertonappeal.com Wednesday, October 19, 2016 ORLANDO RAMIREZ-USA TODAY SPORTS San Diego Chargers wide receiver Tyrell Williams (16) runs with the ball while defended by Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Jalen Ramsey (20) during the first quarter of the game at Qualcomm Stadium. San Diego won 38-14. Former Western Oregon star Williams defies odds GARY HOROWITZ STATESMAN JOURNAL CHRIS HUMPHREYS/USA TODAY SPORTS Tyrell Williams was signed last year as an undrafted free agent from Western Oregon. REACH US: Cliff Kirkpatrick, ckirkpatr@Salem.gannett.com Tyrell Williams has defied the odds. He’s gone from Cascade High School to Western Oregon University to start- ing NFL wide receiver for the San Diego Chargers. Williams, who grew up in Salem, is an example that hard work and inner confi- dence pays off. He was one of only four undrafted rookies to earn a spot on the Chargers’ active roster out of training camp last season. Although Williams wasn’t recruited by any major colleges, he parlayed a stel- lar college career at NCAA Division II WOU into a NFL opportunity. “My dad has always told me that if you can play, they’ll find you,” Williams said during a phone interview this week. That was sound advice. Call Williams a late bloomer. He only weighed 160 pounds coming out of high school and although Oregon State invit- ed him to walk on, Williams opted for WOU where he became the school’s ca- reer leader in receptions with 165. An impressive Pro Day in Corvallis working out with then-OSU quarterback Sean Mannion, along with his size and speed, led to a free agent offer from the Chargers. Williams saw early action his rookie season on special teams, spent two months on the practice squad, and re- turned to the active roster for the last seven games. His only catch went for an 80-yard touchdown Jan. 3 against the Denver Broncos, who went on to win the Super Bowl. “It’s an unbelievable feeling for that to be your first catch, especially for it to be a touchdown,” said Williams, 24, who is 6-foot-4, 205 pounds. “But to be an 80- yard touchdown is pretty crazy.” That play was no fluke. In part due to injuries to wide receiv- ers Stevie Johnson and Keenan Allen, Williams has worked his way into the starting lineup this season. He is the Chargers’ second-leading receiver with 16 receptions for 241 yards and one TD. Williams acknowledged being a little awe struck early on during his first NFL training camp, especially playing with established stars like quarterback Phil- lip Rivers and tight end Antonio Gates, but that feeling quickly faded. “For the first little bit you see guys like Antonio and Phillip, guys that are gonna be in the Hall of Fame, it’s defi- nitely crazy,” Williams said. “It’s excit- ing, but once you get on the field you’re just kind of playing and you just go with the flow, and then it just becomes nor- mal.” Williams is an inviting target for Riv- ers. He has shown the ability to get open deep and turn short crossing routes into long gains. And while Williams isn’t a finished product, his stock is certainly on the rise. “He’s taken the opportunities he’s got- ten, and he’s proven to me he has the abil- ities you need to beat man coverage,” San Diego wide receivers coach Nick Sir- ianni told Chargers.com. “He catches the ball well and he’s big and fast. He’s relentless and he can run all day.” In addition to playing with bigger and stronger players in the NFL where “ev- erybody’s fast at every position,” life has changed off the field for Williams. For one thing, he no longer has roommates like in college. With a three-year, $1.575 million con- tract, Williams has some financial stabil- ity. But money hasn’t altered his life style much. “I’m not trying to go out and make it look like I have money. I’m trying to stay pretty low key,” Williams said. “In that sense it’s kind of been the same. As far as how much (money) I’m making, it’s defi- nitely been a big jump.” Williams keeps in touch with former WOU teammates, and visits family and friends in Salem as much as he can. Bur- gerville, located in Monmouth near the WOU campus, remains a must on of his “favorite places” to dine. “When I get back home I’ll definitely be stopping there for sure,” he said. For now the focus is on Sunday’s road game against the Oakland Raiders. The Chargers (1-3) have lost two games in row and are in last place in the AFC West. Despite his success, Williams is tak- ing nothing for granted. “I’m definitely still appreciative to even be on the team and getting the op- portunity to be a starter,” he said. “I’m just trying to make plays and help the team win.” ghorowitz@StatesmanJournal.com, 503-399-6726 or Twitter.com/ghorowitz Foxes shut out Rebels APPEAL TRIBUNE Silverton 17, South Albany 0: Dar- ren Buckley and Perry Davis combined for 140 rushing yards and a touchdown Thursday as the Foxes ground out a win against the Rebels. Davis’ 3-yard touchdown run capped the scoring for Silverton, which also got a passing touchdown from Levi Nielsen to Spencer Clements and a field goal from Ben Willis. Silverton’s defense held South Albany to 44 total yards and forced three turn- overs.