Frederick Williams III, In His Words: Why I Chose Cal

What’s up Cal fans, my name is Frederick Williams III, redshirt junior offensive lineman for the California Golden Bears. I grew up in Los Angeles, specifically in the Crenshaw and West Adams area.

Sports have always been a big part of my life. I started playing basketball when I was about 4 years old, then got into baseball, and eventually started playing football around the age of 6. I also ran track growing up, so I was always active and competing. I feel like all those sports helped shape me into the athlete I am today.

A lot of my family members played sports growing up, both in high school and college. I currently have a cousin who plays football for Stanfurd, so that adds a fun little rivalry with me being at Cal and you can only imagine the trash talk that happens at every family function.

When I got to high school, I attended Serra High School in Gardena, California. Serra is a highly competitive program with a lot of talent, where a lot of guys were getting Division I offers and going on to play at the next level. Some of the great players who came through Serra and made it to the league were Robert Woods, Adoree' Jackson, Marqise Lee, and Rasheem Green, to name a few. Being in that environment pushed me and showed me what it took to compete at a high level.

When I entered high school, I was about 5’8,” 160 pounds, playing DB and wide receiver on JV. I was definitely a late bloomer. It wasn’t until my junior year that I had a growth spurt and got to around 6’4,” 220 pounds. That’s when I transitioned to defensive end and tight end. Once I had that growth spurt and started getting more opportunities on the field, I was able to show some glimpses of what I could do and started realizing my potential. After my junior year, I got my first offer, and that’s when I knew playing college football could really happen for me.

By my senior year, I was about 6’5,” 260 pounds and played mostly on the defensive line. Being at Serra helped shape me as a player and a person. I had mentors there, including former Cal player Jason Gibson, who was a big influence on my decision to commit to Cal. I only played offensive line for maybe four series my senior year, so I didn’t have much experience there until I got to college. I actually never played a full game on the offensive line until my first start at Cal, so my journey has involved a lot of learning, growth, and development.

I had a lot of great memories playing high school football but my fondest memory was winning a State Championship my junior year. 

I’ve always had aspirtations to play college football and make it to the NFL, but my parents always instilled in me the importance of education. Even though I had those football dreams, the main goal was always to go to college. Cal was one of the schools that really recruited me hard. After taking my official visit, I knew it was a place I could see myself playing. It felt like home. At the end of the day, it was a pretty easy decision for me because Cal gave me the opportunity to get a great education from the #1 public institution in the world while also playing for a competitive program.

School has been going great but it’s definitely been challenging balancing academics and football at Cal. Being here has taught me discipline, time management, and how to stay focused. I’m proud to say I’m on track to graduate this fall, which is earlier than expected. That means a lot to me because education has always been a priority in my family.

My favorite memories at Cal so far have been getting my first start as a redshirt freshman against Oregon State, getting the chance to play in front of my hometown at the LA Bowl at SoFi Stadium, and beating Stanfurd two out of the three times in my career. Those are all moments that mean a lot to me, and beating Stanfurd especially was an incredible feeling because of what that rivalry means and the energy our fans bring. Rushing the field and celebrating with all the Cal fans is an amazing feeling that can't be put into words. We’re looking forward to adding to those victories this year and keeping that tradition going.Spring ball went really well. I feel like it was the first spring where I was mostly fully healthy and at my goal weight. My first spring, I missed because of injury, and my second spring I came in under my goal weight after getting sick for a short period and losing some weight, so this spring definitely felt different. I felt stronger, more comfortable, and more confident out there. It gave me a chance to really focus on my development, build chemistry with the guys, and keep improving my game going into the season.

Working with Coach Anae has been amazing. He’s taught me a lot about technique, footwork, and just understanding the details of playing offensive line at a high level. What stands out most about Coach Anae is the family atmosphere he brings to the room. He really makes sure everyone feels connected and pushes us to be there for each other. He does a great job balancing the mental and physical sides of the game, teaching us toughness, discipline, and how to handle adversity, while also making sure we’re developing the right habits and mindset to be successful. Coach Anae is a great teacher and a great coach, and he’s helped me grow a lot, both on and off the field. 

Coach Somerville has also been great. He brings a lot of knowledge and has done a really good job helping us understand the offense as a whole. He’s big on details, execution, and making sure everyone is on the same page and I think that’s going to help us a lot this season. 

Coach Tosh is a burst of energy and does a great job motivating his players. He’s the kind of coach you’d run through a wall for. With him being a Cal alum, you can really feel the passion he has for this program and how much winning here means to him. That energy is contagious and it makes me excited to be playing for him and looking forward to the season.

I also want to give a shoutout to all the Cal coaches and staff, both past and present, who have played a role in my development. From the strength staff, trainers, academic advisors, nutrition staff, and everyone behind the scenes, it really takes a whole team to help put us in the best position to succeed. I’m grateful for everything they’ve poured into me throughout my time here.I think this team is going to be really competitive. We’ve got a lot of talent, depth, and a lot of guys hungry to prove themselves. Getting key guys back like Tyson (Ruffins), Bastian (Swinney), Lamar (Robinson), and my guy Vati (Sioape Vatikani) on the offensive line is huge for us, and bringing in guys like Jimbo (Lewis) and Kahlee (Tafai) from the portal only adds to that. We’ve also added talent at other positions through the portal that can make an impact right away, so I feel like we’ve built a strong group on both sides of the ball. I’m definitely excited about what we’re building.

Cal fans can expect a physical, fast, disciplined team that’s going to play hard every snap and compete at a high level. I think we’re going to play with a lot of energy and a lot of toughness, and I’m excited for everyone to see what we can do this season. A lot of people have been counting us out, and we love that. It gives us extra motivation and adds fuel to the fire every time we step on the field.

What I’m most looking forward to is competing, helping my team WIN, continuing to prove myself, and making this season special with my teammates. Every season is a new opportunity, and I’m excited for what’s ahead.

Go Bears!!!!

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