Former Trojan Catches a Rising Star

One quote, from the master of such things, summed up how good Mike Williams, USC’s star freshman receiver, was in Thursday night’s Orange Bowl.

The quote was uttered by a tall man wearing a John Elway No. 7 jersey standing along the USC sideline: “He has the physical ability and the mental drive to, someday, be as good as me.”

The speaker was Keyshawn Johnson, a 1995 All-American at USC who is now an All-Pro receiver from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and the standard to which Trojan receivers are held. Johnson is also about as willing to favorably compare other receivers’ skills to his as he is to go to the dentist.

“I was a great college receiver,” Johnson said, “but this young man has a chance to be right there with me.”

It’s an old line, but it works in Johnson’s case. He throws around praise for others like manhole covers. But it was difficult to do have anything but praise when the subject was young Williams.

The recruit from Florida, who will turn 19 in two days, established two NCAA freshman records and tied another. He caught six passes in USC’s 38-17 romp of out-manned Iowa, giving him 81 for the season, two more than the previous record.

He gained 99 yards on those receptions, giving him 1,265 for the season, or 80 more than the former record.

And he caught an 18-yard touchdown pass from Carson Palmer that put USC ahead for good in the third period and gave him a total of 14 for the season, matching the NCAA record.

Johnson, almost gushing, said, “Mike Williams is the most impressive freshman receiver I’ve ever seen, and I’ve watched college football for a long, long time.”

For Williams’ part, he sees his record-setting freshman year as only the beginning.

“I’m learning, and I got so much help from my teammates,” he said. “This is just the start.”

He referred specifically to senior Kareem Kelly, who was the team’s star receiver until Williams showed up, and who, unlike many college players in his position, willingly assumed the role of downfield blocker and secondary receiver.

“What Kareem did for me, as well as Kerry Colbert, was unbelievable,” Williams said.

Kelly finished on a high note himself, with three catches for 74 yards and sole possession of the NCAA record for number of consecutive games with a reception, 47.

Williams’ remarkable start has some USC fans worrying that he will head for the pros early, something that Johnson had a chance to do and did not, staying for his senior year and a Trojan Rose Bowl victory. And Johnson had some advice for his protege on that.

“He shouldn’t even be thinking about the pros now,” he said. “He needs to grow and learn and fully live the college experience. He’s just a baby now.”

He also will remain under the watchful eyes of Johnson, who soon reverted to his old self with his opinions.

“He’s got things to work on, mechanics, things like that,” Johnson said. “He doesn’t even know how to run yet.

“And catching. Is he as good as me? Hell, he’s got to learn to catch the ball better with his hands. Too many body catches.”

Is he faster than you? Johnson was asked.

Incredulous, Johnson couldn’t even bring himself to answer. He merely pounded his chest, indicating, in the category of foot speed, who was still the man.