As a young athlete, Central Catholic wide receiver/safety Korbin Williams grew up hearing stories about his great uncles competing for the Oregon Ducks, particularly Oregon Hall of Fame selection Emery Barnes, a football and track and field star.

On Saturday, the 6-foot-2, 170-pound officially announced he would be following in their footsteps, accepting a preferred walk-on spot from the Ducks for the class of 2018:

Always dreamed of being a duck, and today I’m truly thankful and excited to announce my Commitment to the University of Oregon! #Goducks pic.twitter.com/WCY6fafCxX — Korbin Williams (@Korbwill) March 10, 2018

For Williams, a Mt. Hood Conference first-team all-league wide receiver selection as a senior, the opportunity to prove himself in Eugene was too precious to pass up.

"Ever since I was little, I've always wanted to be a Duck," he said. "I have a two great uncles that played for the Ducks and one is in the hall of fame. So, for me, it's really a family legacy that I'm trying to continue."

Although Williams waited until this weekend to publicly announce his commitment, he knew his future plans in mid-February.

"I made my decision after my (preferred walk-on) offer, but I waited to publicly announce my commitment after I visited," he said.

Williams celebrated his decision on Oregon's campus this weekend, as he traveled to Eugene to check out a spring practice on an unofficial visit.

The addition, for Oregon, may also pay dividends down the road.

Central Catholic's 2020 class is a special group, headlined by 247Sports four-star wide receiver Silas Starr, and Williams could provide a personal connection in their recruitment.

-- Andrew Nemec

anemec@oregonian.com

@AndrewNemec