From an outdoor perspective, Utah State’s dramatic, double-overtime, bowl-clinching 44-41 win over New Mexico on Friday might have seemed like the start of quarterback Levi Williams’ comeback story.
The third-string QB broke out with 351 all-purpose yards and 5 whole touchdowns in his first begin since 2021, and he nonetheless has one 12 months of faculty eligibility left.
But the dynamic efficiency that punched the Aggies’ ticket to bowl season is extra like a fairytale ending to the closing chapter of his soccer ebook as a result of Williams intends to forgo his ultimate 12 months of faculty eligibility to pursue a dream of changing into a Navy SEAL. Williams will full his Master of Business Administration from USU’s enterprise faculty in December.
“It’s always been in my heart my entire life. My mom was Army. My grandparents were Army and Navy,” he mentioned. “People in the military are always what I want to emulate because they’re some of the best people, best teams on the planet.”
The 22-year-old got here to the choice about two years in the past when a Navy chaplain spoke at a Fellowship of Christian Athletes assembly Williams attended. Williams was deciding between the Navy and the Army Special Forces when the chaplain linked him with a former SEAL who he now trains alongside and appears to as a mentor.
Depending on the bowl, Williams says he plans to play yet another sport for Utah State. (Photo: Sam Wasson / Getty Images)
It’s an unconventional path for an athlete who was rated a three-star prospect popping out of highschool and nonetheless has the abilities to discover success on the soccer subject, however Utah State coach Blake Anderson says it’s a clear match for Williams.
“The guy is just unique in every sense. I think his true sense of selflessness and fight for the guy next to him is something that’s tangible and real. You can see it,” Anderson mentioned. “His capacity for work and to do tough things and to fight through things that are hard, difficult and painful is just something that, in our society today, is hard to see. I think he’ll do an amazing job. I can’t imagine having anybody better suited for what he’s wanting to do. I’m super proud of the path he’s chosen.”
Before Friday, Williams was buried on the depth chart and virtually completely taking part in on particular groups. A switch from Wyoming, Williams turned the first QB to rush for 200 yards and 4 touchdowns in a bowl whereas main the Cowboys to a win within the 2021 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. But with Utah State, he entered the season backing up Cooper Legas and McCae Hillstead.
When each QBs went down due to damage, Williams stepped in, and the Aggies adjusted their offense to higher swimsuit his huge arm power and skill to make performs with his toes. Though Anderson mentioned Williams beforehand struggled with consistency in practices this season, he approached the beginning function with calm confidence. Even a automotive accident the Tuesday earlier than the sport couldn’t shake his nerves. Another driver pulled out in entrance of Williams on the freeway and he totaled his automotive, he mentioned, however he walked away with out a scratch and took it as an omen.
“I was telling my head coach, ‘You know what? I think this is a sign God really wants me to play in this game, because if not, it could’ve been a lot worse,’” he mentioned.
Williams carried that swagger into the sport and shared it with his teammates.
“When New Mexico decided to kick a field goal in the second overtime, I looked at everybody on the sidelines and said, ‘All right, we’re gonna go win this game. That was a big mistake on their part.’”
He went on to seal the victory with a 13-yard landing run on a play that started with a dropped snap.
WHAT A GAME!!!! @USUFootball wins on a long term by Levi Williams#AtThePeak l #MWFB l #AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/R1uRfJiKS1
— Mountain West (@MountainWest) November 25, 2023
Depending on the bowl sport the Aggies get, Williams says he plans to play. The Athletic predicts Utah State will face Georgia State within the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl on Dec. 23, which can imply Williams might come full circle to the location of his earlier record-breaking efficiency. Either approach, he’ll be content material with nonetheless his school profession ends.
“I feel like I’m playing with house money at this point,” he mentioned. “So I’m just having as much fun as I can and being the best teammate that I can.”
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(Photo: Sam Wasson / Getty)
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