This summer has been very different for Kirksville Football Senior Andrew Williams.
Normally, he would travel to and from the weight room, but this year he is touring the country, visiting schools across the Big 12.
The Tiger wasn’t just attending these institutions as a fan; he was also learning from some of football’s best minds to help him enhance his skills.
“I’m super blessed for being able to interact with them and learn from them, and because of that interaction, that ability for me to get out there and play and play, in front of these coaches, allow them to coach me up, it’s put me on a phenomenal run that I’ll be able to use throughout the season, honestly, throughout my whole career,” Williams said.
At the beginning of the summer, he received offers from Ivy League schools. During his travels, he received offers from schools near to home, including Iowa State, Kansas University, and Kansas State University.
However, his new home will be Brigham Young University (BYU), where he has a family connection and is close to certain relatives.
The school’s connections piqued his curiosity, but it was the university’s future that clinched the deal.
“Coach Kalani is the head coach there, just an awesome guy,” Williams said. “He’s a player’s coach and I just believe in Coach Woods… He’s obviously coming from Utah State so he has a little bit to prove, just like me, and that kind of connected a little bit. But the all-around ability that he’s developed and the guys in the league, I just think that’s the best option for me.”
The future Cougar will bring more than just his physical gifts to Provo; he will also provide excellent leadership.
He doesn’t simply want to improve himself; the senior also wants to aid his colleagues.
“He’s a good leader, he brings everybody up on the line, he really helps everybody bring (their) confidence up, he’s just really good,” said Aidan Dimmitt, a Kirksville Senior Right Guard .
“He’s a 4.0 student, he’s a brilliant kid, he’s 18 going on 30,” said Gregg Nesbitt, Kirksville Head Football Coach. “He’s tremendously organized. He’s a type-A-type guy.
“He definitely brings everybody up, just his intensity,” said Kash Adams, a Kirksville Senior Cornerback. “Him being around everybody bringing them up, I mean it just makes you feel good.”
When he graduates, he will be recognized for his performance on the field, his knowledge in the classroom, and the opportunity to play alongside the greatest.
The offensive tackle did it the correct way, laying the groundwork for future players to succeed on and off the field.
“I just want to be, you know, obviously number 67, I’m a player here, but just setting all around standard of being able to stay out of things off the field, and then also perform on the field, and how it affects you in the long run,” Williams said.
Kirksville’s senior season will begin next month, with a road game against Macon.
