Valley grad Williams discovers home with Utah State Aggies

Kerwynn Williams wasn't wanted in his hometown - at least not enough to be offered a football scholarship.

But the positive feelings toward Williams were much stronger in Logan, Utah, which became his home, the place where he would show UNLV and other schools what they missed.

Williams, now a senior, has become one of Utah State's top playmakers. He was named Western Athletic Conference offensive player of the week after rushing for 205 yards with touchdowns of 26 and 58 yards in Saturday's 31-19 victory at Colorado State.

Next, Williams and the Aggies host UNLV at 5 p.m. Saturday. Though the Valley High School graduate downplayed the importance of facing the Rebels in an interview with the Las Vegas Review-Journal, he told the media that covers the Aggies he's "been waiting four years to play UNLV."

No wonder.

Williams wasn't offered a scholarship by his hometown school, not even after rushing for 2,002 yards and 31 touchdowns in 2008 and passing for 707 yards. He also had 700 yards in returns.

Utah State coach Gary Andersen saw plenty in Williams, signing him as part of his first recruiting class.

Andersen didn't waste time playing Williams, eschewing a redshirt season to get him on the field in 2009.

"We believe in doing that to what we think will be special players," Andersen said. "We are doing that to some special players that we think will be special players down the road, this year."

Williams played in 11 of his team's 12 games in 2009, averaging 25.1 yards per attempt as a kick returner. He also averaged 103.7 all-purpose yards per game.

Then he added running back and punt return duties as a sophomore. One of Williams' highlights last season was a 43-yard touchdown run in a near-upset at Auburn.

"He blew through there, and that was against an SEC (Southeastern Conference) defense that can run, and there was no one that could catch him," Andersen said.

Opponents are having trouble catching him this season, too. Williams has rushed for 406 yards and three touchdowns, averaging 5.9 yards per carry.

He's an integral part of a growing program.

Williams was there for the beginning of Andersen's tenure at Utah State. The Aggies went 4-8 in each of his first two seasons but finished 7-6 last year with an appearance in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl in Boise, where they lost to Ohio, 24-23.

Now the Aggies are 3-1, just a missed 37-yard field goal at Wisconsin from being undefeated.

"When (Andersen) talked to me on the phone when they were recruiting me, he told me what he was all about," Williams said. "He said it's an opportunity to help turn a program around. I jumped right on-board. I wanted to be a part of teams that help turn a program around."

He could have been part of that process at UNLV, allowing his parents to make the simple game-day drive across the valley to Sam Boyd Stadium.

They instead travel to every Utah State game, and the family shares in the experience of being where they feel wanted.

"I feel like everything happens for a reason, and I'm just glad to be in the position that I am now," Williams said. "I'm excited to be an Aggie. I'm happy for the opportunity to play this game."

■ NOTES - Utah State cornerback Will Davis told The Associated Press he expects the Aggies to win "nine games straight. That's what we're going to do. ... Every game from here on out. The WAC should be easy." ... Both coaching staffs will wear patches Saturday to bring attention to Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Contact reporter Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2914. Follow him on Twitter: @markanderson65.