Hard work pays off for Williams
Cleveland High alumnus will start at tight end for Lobos
The tight end position has been the most improved area of the offseason for New Mexico’s football team, coach Bob Davie said.
Marcus Williams is a big, yet undersized, reason why.
The 6-foot-2, 205-pound athletic sophomore has shown himself to be a playmaker who competes bigger than his size. He has earned himself the starting spot for the Lobos, who open the season against Incarnate Word on Saturday at 6 p.m. at Dreamstyle Stadium.
“He is a rare talent when it comes to receiving skills,” Davie said of the Cleveland High product who played receiver and defensive back and was also a basketball standout for the Storm.
There have been statements in past years that the Lobos would include tight ends more in the offense, but met with mediocre results. Davie says not so this year. “This is the year. Absolutely,” Davie said. “They are going to get the football. That’s the most improved position. We’re excited about that.”
Davie was excited after watching Williams complete a 60-yard catch-and-run for a touchdown during an intrasquad scrimmage on Saturday, he said.
Williams showed his playmaking ability with a perfect seam route. He caught the pass from redshirt sophomore quarterback Tevaka Tuioti and outran defenders toward the end zone, Williams said.
“It was something that we were working on and it finally started to click,” Williams said. “We’re starting to come together as a team. The big plays are starting to hit more often.”
Williams’ play appeared to be a result of the hard work he has put in during the offseason. Before the season he made a pact to improve with Tuioti, running back Daevon
Vigilant and nickelback Kameron Miller (Las Cruces). The four live in the same complex.
They challenged each other to work harder than everyone else, but in a humble way, said Tuioti, who was recently named the starting quarterback.
“It’s a brotherhood,” Tuioti said of the group. “We are very tight. We do everything together. Sometimes we go camping. Kam Miller’s family, whenever they go to Elephant Butte, we go there. Sometimes we go to Main Event. Sometimes we are doing extra work with (graduate assistant) Stephen Houston.”
Williams said Houston has helped him increase his strength throughout the summer.
Houston was a top-10 running back in Indiana history before graduating in 2013. He ran for 25 touchdowns for the Hoosiers. He had training camp stints with the Pittsburgh Steelers and New England Patriots before seeing preseason action with the Baltimore Ravens in 2016.
The quartet often met with Houston to build strength and learn from him.
Last year, Williams felt he improved with each game and built his confidence. Now that he has added strength he is eager to contribute to the Lobos.
“It’s always great to have someone making you better and holding you accountable,” Williams said of his teammates and Houston. “They make sure you’re not taking days off. Make sure you’re trying to practice excellence. It showed in camp. I think we are going to have a lot in store for you guys this year.”
Williams said many of his friends believed he would play basketball in college. But he wanted to prove them wrong by excelling in football.
While with the Lobo coaches, took notice that Williams would be a great fit as a tight end.
“He lets it rip,” UNM tight ends coach Clay Davie said of Williams’ blocking ability. “He’s fearless. He’s undersized, but plays a lot of bigger than he is. He has the length and catching ability. He maximizes every pound that he has.”