How a Half-Court Shot Led 3-Star WR Dorian Williams to Football
A friendly wager and a half-court shot changed the trajectory of one young man’s life. Dorian Williams once thought of himself strictly as a hooper. Playing football in the frigid Ohio winters was not his forte.
For years, coaches at Cincinnati football powerhouse Princeton High School begged him to come out for football. Williams and his mother always pushed back. Finally, one fateful P.E. class changed everything. The teacher was an assistant on the football team, Coach Webb.
“He bet me that if he hit a half-court shot before me, then I had to go play football.”
Coach Webb hit the shot first and Dorian Williams prepared to put on pads for the first time since his peewee playing days. Two seasons later he’s a three-star wide receiver recruit taking official visits to Power Five college football programs.
“He’s definitely still talking some smack,” Dorian Williams told KSR this week. “But it’s fine because I still beat him in pick-up basketball.”
Camp Trip Turns into Official Visit
Dorian Williams was in Lexington on Tuesday for an unofficial visit during Kentucky football camp, his first trip to the Bluegrass State. A turf toe injury he suffered during track and field limited him from competing. However, once Cutter Boley arrived, Williams threw on a pair of gloves to catch some passes.
“I didn’t know he was going to be there,” Williams said. “It was nice. He throws a good spiral. It’s not too hard to catch. We did a couple fades. I don’t think he quite realizes that I’m as tall as I am, and a few were a little bit low. But I think he’d be really fun to play with.”
The surprise form Boley was a pleasant addition to his University of Kentucky introduction. He liked it so much he’ll be back next week. An official visit has been scheduled from June 18-20.
“It was fun. It was nice meeting all of the coaches and checking out the facilities and stuff,” said Williams.
The trip to Kentucky will be his third official visit of the summer. The three-star prospect previously took an official visit to Colorado State. This weekend he’ll be at Vanderbilt.
How Basketball Helps Dorian Williams on the Gridiron
A physically imposing figure on the football field, Dorian Williams complements his 6-foot-3 frame with incredibly long arms. There’s some speed to go with that size. Also a track and field star, he’s posted times of 10.69 in the 100-meter dash and 21.5 in the 200-meter. Through years of basketball he’s developed skills that come in handy on the football field.
“From playing basketball, plucking the ball out of the air is something that’s familiar. It’s something I’m used to doing. It’s something I can imitate that’s very similar to basketball,” said Williams.
“I feel like I excel in tracking the ball in general. I can do that well, and just change direction, still be explosive in and out of cuts from basketball, guard play, crossing over and stuff.”
Vince Marrow is taking the lead on Kentucky’s recruitment of Dorian Williams. The multi-sport star is targeting a decision prior to the start of his senior high school football season. There’s a lot to like about the lengthy wide receiver’s game and still plenty of room to grow.
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