NORMAN — Mario Williams showed promise in his first collegiate game.
Against Tulane in the 2021 season opener, Williams had six catches for 37 yards and a touchdown in OU’s 40-35 win.
Saturday, Williams returns to Norman, this time playing for the Green Wave.
The 13th-ranked Sooners host Tulane at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Gaylord Family — Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. The game will be televised on ESPN.
Woodi Washington was already well established in the OU secondary when Williams arrived in the spring of 2021.
Williams made a quick impression on Washington in practice that season.
“He’s just a small, shifty receiver,” Washington told The Oklahoman. “Got great speed.”
More: Will OU football offense get better under Seth Littrell? ‘No question’ he’ll fix Sooners
Then-OU receiver Mario Williams (4) is greeted in the end zone by Jadon Haselwood (11) after a score against Tulane on Sept. 4, 2021, in Norman.
Williams and Washington battled plenty in practice that season.
They’ll likely get another chance to go head-to-head Saturday.
“It’s going to be great,” Washington said. “He’s a guy that I’ve seen in practice, played here with me, so Mario’s going to be a great test for us and I think he’s a really good receiver so can’t wait to play him.”
Williams was one of the centerpieces of what turned out to be Lincoln Riley’s final Sooners recruiting class, alongside players like quarterback Caleb Williams and safety Billy Bowman.
The Plant City, Florida, product was a four-star prospect according to the 247 Sports composite out of high school.
And Mario Williams looked like a budding star as a freshman, finishing with 380 yards and four touchdowns on 35 receptions.
In the Sooners’ 52-21 win over Texas Tech late that season, Williams had five catches for 100 yards and a touchdown.
It wasn’t a great…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/tulanes-mario-williams-former-ou-111521471.html
Author : The Oklahoman
Publish date : 2024-09-13 11:15:21
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.
