Versatile athlete Kyle Williams of California commits to ASU football

This story was originally published on Sept. 1, 2015.

Kyle Williams, a versatile playmaker at Vista Murrieta High in California, has committed to Arizona State.

Most recruiting services classify Williams -- the 12th known commitment in ASU's 2016 recruiting class -- as an "athlete," which means he could play offense or defense in college.

Last year, Williams (5-11, 185 pounds) played quarterback, but he did so out of necessity. The details:

Then the team's starter got injured in the first quarter of the season opener and couldn't return. Coach Coley Candaele turned to Williams, a receiver who never had taken a snap behind center. On his first series, Williams led the Broncos on a 70-yard touchdown drive.Vista Murrieta already was shorthanded to open the season. Its No. 2 quarterback injured his wrist the previous week in a scrimmage. Its No. 3 quarterback had just moved into the district and was not yet eligible.

He finished the season with 1,200 passing yards and 10 touchdowns, earning Southwestern League Player of the Year honors.

"He's just a really smart kid,'' Candaele said. "He understands the game."

247 Sports gives Williams a composite 3-star ranking as an athlete. (This ranking takes into account all the major recruiting services). Scout ranks him as the 127th receiver in the country and the 23rd in the West. ESPN.com ranks him as the nation's 68th athlete.

What makes him stand out: explosive speed.

"Here's the thing,'' Vista Murrieta offensive coordinator Eric Peterson said. "I don't know how familiar you are with our school, but we're the state champions in track. Kyle's an 11-flat 100 meters, maybe 11.2, and he's probably the 10th fastest guy on our team. A hundred meters is a long race for Kyle, but if you watch him run the 100, the first 50 he's leading by five feet. He just has an ability to go from zero to lightening fast -- like right now."

As a sophomore, Williams started at receiver and caught passes from Coltin Gerhart, who signed with ASU and today plays defense. As a senior, he will start at receiver, but Vista Murrieta also will use him as a "Wildcat" quarterback. Peterson estimated Williams will touch the ball 10-15 times a game, some of those coming as a returner.

"We can really play him anywhere,'' Candaele said. "Quarterback, slot receiver, running back. He can go to the other side and play defensive back. ... Where he'll play in college remains to be seen. He's a football player, very versatile, very competitive. If he doesn't work out at one position, he'll work out at another."

Candaele said Williams has a 3.5 GPA and has 17 credits that will transfer to college.

Williams had reported scholarship offers from Boise State, California, Colorado, Washington and Washington State. His coach said he chose the Sun Devils because they had recruited him hard from Day 1.

"He didn't rush,'' Candaele said. "It just got to a point where he wanted to go someplace where they really wanted him. ASU liked him and they thought he could fit into their program."

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