‘Capable of doing anything you need’: WSU’s Kyle Williams is becoming much more than a deep-ball threat

Sep. 5—PULLMAN — When we talk about Washington State wide receiver Kyle Williams, there’s a temptation to talk about him as a deep-ball guru.

He’s the Cougars’ best deep threat.

He can take the top off a defense.

He’s always a threat for a big play.

It all makes sense. Some of Williams’ best plays in the crimson and gray laundry have come on long passes: His 25-yard touchdown catch in last year’s Apple Cup. His 63-yarder against Oregon State. His 34-yard touchdown catch against Colorado. Even non-scoring plays, like an acrobatic 37-yard reception against UW and a 47-yarder against Oregon.

The numbers back that up. Last fall, he hauled in nine passes of 20-plus air yards, turning four into touchdowns, for a total of 352 yards. At that depth of target, he earned a Pro Football Focus grade of 98.1, sixth-best among qualified Pac-12 receivers.

“His greatest strength is the vertical stretch game,” WSU coach Jake Dickert said.

But if Williams showed anything in his 2024 debut, a 70-30 WSU win over Portland State last week, it’s this: There are layers to his game. He’s more than just a deep-ball option.

“That was big for me,” Williams said. “I always felt like I was an all-around receiver, but I feel like not enough people have seen it. So for me, it was just coming out, showing the things that a lot of people haven’t seen. So running after the catch, just making more contested catches.”

Williams did that and more against the FCS Vikings. He totaled two touchdowns on four receptions, one a deep ball from quarterback John Mateer, whose throw traveled some 30 yards for a 58-yard strike. Williams’ second touchdown signaled he’s making a conscious effort to round out his game, that the Cougars’ coaches are ready to utilize him in more ways.

It came early in the third quarter. Mateer took a short dropback and unleashed a throw of…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/capable-doing-anything-wsus-kyle-020100146.html

Author : The Spokesman-Review, Spokane, Wash.

Publish date : 2024-09-06 02:01:00

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