California Football Player of Year candidate Charles Williams signs with Wyoming
Updated 12/21/2023, 1:45 p.m.
One of the state's most productive and explosive high school football players has signed at the University of Wyoming.
Charles Williams, a 6-foot-2, 180-pound running back and cornerback from Marin Catholic, told SBLive Sports a short time ago he has signed his letter of intent to the Cowboys and coach Craig Bowl.
Wyoming (8-4), the alma mater of Bills quarterback Josh Allen and NFL Hall of Famers Mike Ditka and coach Marv Levy, is preparing for its third straight bowl game, a Dec. 30 date with Toledo in the Arizona Bowl at Arizona Stadium in Tucson.
Williams originally announced Thursday on Twitter that he had committed to the Cowboys but confirmed via a call a few hours later that he indeed signed. Football's early signing period started Wednesday and concludes Friday. The regular signing period begins Feb. 7.
His signing was confirmed on the school's website.
"I'm all signed up and sent it to them today," Williams said. "I'm looking forward to it 100 percent. It has a real family feel there. It's a long way from home but I gotta grow up sometime. I can't wait to build my own path."
Williams, who rushed for nearly 1,500 yards, scored 30 touchdowns and intercepted a school-record 11 passes, three which he returned for scores, built a diverse and productive trail at Marin Catholic.
Marin Catholic's Charles Williams (3) had 288 all-purpose yards in a 38-18 win over Mayfair at El Camino College in Torrance on Dec. 9.
Photo: Nick Koza
His teams went 46-3 in four years on varsity, including a pandemic-shorted 5-0 campaign as a freshman. As the team's premier running back, he helped the Wildcats to a 14-1 campaign as a sophomore and a state 4-AA championship.
"He's an amazing player and completely selfless kid — a true team player," Marin Catholic coach Mazi Moayed said. "Never once in the entire time he was here did he ask for more touches or more attention. He just produced in every way imaginable. Wyoming is getting the best of the best."
It wasn't until his senior year did he realize that defense is where he really wanted to focus, and that showed by his 11 interceptions, four in the last two games. He'll likely be playing cornerback at Wyoming, which beat out other offers from Oregon State, Fresno State, San Jose State and San Diego State.
"I've definitely changed my mind about where I'd want to play, but honestly, wherever they want me to do, I'll do it," Williams said. "When I was a sophomore, I thought for sure I'd be a running back. But I think my future is on defense and coach (Moayed) saw it before I did."
Williams, a three-year starter, was most productive down the stretch, leading the Wildcats to their second state title in three years.
In the regional title game at home in a 35-28 win over McClymonds-Oakland, he rushed for 174 yards and two touchdowns and intercepted two passes.
In the title game, a 38-18 win over Mayfair-Lakewood at El Camino College in Torrance, Williams accounted for 288 all-purpose yards almost evenly divided between returns, rushing and receiving. He also contributed two interceptions.
"Winning state as a sophomore at home was amazing but I probably didn't realize how significant it was," Williams said. "To finish it off in our last game as seniors together was the best feeling in the world. To buckle down on the road, basically going to their house and to buckle down gave it even more meaning. I'm so proud of our guys."
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