New Bears on the Block: Cal OL Frederick Williams
6-5/285 Serra-Gardena DE/OT Frederick Williams III became the 8th commit of Cal’s 2023 class when he made the call for Cal at the end of November last year, signing three weeks later on early signing day, with the Bears beating out Washington, Oregon State, Colorado, Boston College and more for Williams’ services.
Playing largely as a defensive end last season, the 3 star athlete totaled 43 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 4 1/2 sacks, one fumble recovery, one pass deflection and two safeties for Serra.
Williams visited for Cal’s close 28-21 loss to the 11-2 Washington Huskies and what he saw at Memorial went a long way towards sealing the deal with Cal.
"It was a very, very beautiful atmosphere. I loved it," Williams said of the Cal-UW game. It was really one of the main reasons why I committed to Cal.
"Oh, man, it really reminded me of like my high school. It felt like home here. I could feel the presence of all the coaches, especially Wilcox. You know, he felt I felt almost like a dad. Yeah, it felt like home."
Williams also got to hang out with Mama Lynch and her famous son a bit on his visit weekend.
"Oh, yes. Yeah, that was a fun time," Williams said. “We got to see him (Marshawn), too. He drove by with us heading up to the stadium. We got to see him a little bit and got to say what's up."
Williams’ recruitment started with Cal DL Coach Andrew Browning, who’s he’s formed a strong relationship with over the last year.
“Oh, it's grown very, very well,” said Williams of the relationship. “You know, I'm getting to know all the coaches now.”
One of the other coaches Williams has started to form a relationship with is new OL coach Mike Bloesch who looks to be his position coach as Williams transitions to the OL after playing defensive end in high school.
"Yeah, I've been working with him a little bit," Williams said. "But I've really been in the weight room a lot more. I've been working with the strength and conditioning coach a lot, weighing a lot more so we can get me on the program."
Now up to 6-5/285 after playing at 250 in high school, Williams is getting a quick jump towards building the size and strength he needs on the other side of the line.
"Yeah, just need to love just need to get in the weight room a little bit more."
Having played plenty of left tackle in high school, Williams has found the transition to be seamless so far.
"Oh, easy,” said Williams of the transition. “I feel I felt like it was normal, You know, I'm an athlete. Everything's pretty easy to me".
Coming from Serra High School in Gardena, Williams was more than familiar with another former Serra Golden Bear, former Cal linebacker and d-end Jason Gibson.
"Great guy," Williams said of Gibson. "He’s my mentor. He was one of the reasons why I got to this position. So yeah, big shout out to him."
Williams’ transition with his teammates has also been an easy one so far.
"Easy," Williams said of getting to know his new teammates. "Because I already connected with them over the visits and stuff. And I've already talked to them and stuff before beforehand so it's already easy to transition into Cal.”
As for what he’s looking forward to the most this season:
"Oh, just to play and again, the atmosphere,” Williams said, “Just to have a winning season and just keep on going. You know, I just want to be just be here and just live you know?"
"Go Bears!"
Related:
Bears Add 8th Commit of '23 Class in Serra DE Frederick Williams
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