LJ FB: The word of experience

Tyrell Williams (right), Chargers' number-two

receiver, shares with the La Jolla football team

during a break in Spring workouts Wed., March 31.

From left are assistant Armon Harvey and

Vikings head coach Tyler Roach.

(Photos by Ed Piper, Jr.)

By Ed Piper, Jr.

Receivers coach Armon Harvey invited his friend, Tyrell Williams, a receiver for the Chargers, to speak to the La Jolla High football players during a break in Spring practice Wed., May 31.

"Take care of the books, because then you won't have to worry about that part," advised the 6'4" wide receiver, who grabbed 69 receptions last year for 1,059 yards and seven touchdowns in his second season for the then-San Diego Chargers.

He was introduced as "Tyrell Williams of the L.A. Chargers" to the team, and one assistant coach noted the earlier part: "So, how's L.A.?", snickering, in the course of a question-and-answer period on the middle of the Edwards Stadium field.

"It seems a little rough," replied the tall Williams with a chuckle. "I'll go there because it means playing football," he said diplomatically.

Harvey acted as a kind of emcee in hosting his friend before the high school players. He brought out the theme of Williams, who had ability out of high school, attending a smaller college, Western Oregon, an NCAA Division II school, then going undrafted by NFL teams after completion of his college career.

Did you ever doubt your abilities? "I always had confidence in what I could do," said the quiet-spoken pro athlete.

He graduated from Cascade Senior High School in Turner, Oregon, a school with only 766 students.

After going undrafted in the 2015 NFL draft, the Chargers signed him to a contract. They then waived him. Three days later, in September 2015, he was signed to the practice squad.

Center Lucas Smith listens attentively

alongside Viking teammates.

 



On November 1, 2015, the Oregonian was promoted to the Chargers' active squad. In other words, he bounced around a little and success didn't come immediately. That was what Harvey tried to help bring out to the youth hanging on the words of this pro star.

With Chargers star receiver Keenan Allen returning from injury next season, Williams likely won't see as many passes from quarterback Phillip Rivers as he did in 2016. "...[B]ut he should see plenty of work as the no. 2 receiver," says a scouting report on the website Rotoworld.com.

Williams, sharing with the Viking players, dwelled on the lessons of working hard, keeping a focus on goals including completing schoolwork, and maintaining self-confidence even in discouraging times.

La Jolla head coach Tyler Roach spent quite a bit of time conversing with the Charger receiver after his chat with the team.