For many athletes not being ‘the guy’ is too much to take. Players leave high school as the ‘next big thing’ only to find out once they step on a college campus that they’re just one of a whole bunch of next big things and will need to prove themselves once again.
Then when they figure out that being the guy isn’t going to happen, they, understandably, move on to other things.
That’s what makes players like Montana State wide receiver and special teams ace Tayvian Williams special.
Williams’ brother was ‘the guy’ in college. Amandre Williams started out at the University of Washington before transferring to Montana State to form one of the best front fours in school history in 2019 and 2021. Another brother, DeShon, Williams played at UW as well. Their father, Tyrone Williams, was a standout defensive tackle at Wyoming who then went on to play for seven seasons in the NFL and another eight seasons in the Canadian Football League.
Tayvian Williams has never cracked the starting lineup at MSU. He’s only flirted with being on the depth chart. But don’t tell him that’s a reason to bag it.
“Someone once told me availability is your best ability, so I try to be available,” Williams said.
Greater words may never have been spoken by a football player and Williams is the epitome of them. Williams prepped at Tahoma High School in the Seattle area before cutting his teeth at Laney College in Oakland. Many junior colleges have been categorized in the cliche of “Last Chance U” after the of the popular NetFlix documentary series. Except, Laney College really was featured on “Last Chance U” while Williams was there.
Now in his third season at MSU, Williams has played multiple positions for the Bobcats, including positions on scout teams all the way into his final season.
“Over the past three seasons it’s been a little different each season,” Williams said. “Last season running back, this season receiver but just filling in wherever they need me. Special teams. I take pride in whatever I do to help the team win.”
Williams’ efforts certainly aren’t lost on MSU’s head coach Brent Vigen, who had some poignant words to say about one of the players that does so much behind the scenes.
Montana State third-year head football coach Brent Vigen“Tayvian’s been a very useful player let’s put it that way,” Vigen started out saying. “Meaning, at any turn he’s done what we asked. A guy that if you asked what’s a high characteristic that he has, it’s unselfishness.
“He’s played a key role in special teams this year, building off a really solid year last year. He’s become more integrated offensively this year, but you think about him my first two years. Yes, it was the playing corner in spring ball just to get us through. It was playing scout team running back over and over those first two years in the fall when we were continuing to be short. It was doing whatever we asked, that’s hard. Guys don’t come to college to be playing on a scout team, necessarily, when they’re in their fourth or fifth year. That’s where he was and he continued to work and he felt like, ‘hey, I’m going to be able to make it.’ And everybody’s definition of making it is their own. I would say that Tayvian’s made it. He’s played a key role this fall and will continue to. We really appreciate him for his efforts.”
At MSU, Williams has been primarily known for his special teams play. He recovered a blocked punt against South Dakota State this season that led to a game-tying field goal during a 20-16 loss in Brookings, SD. His favorite game, however, was a home game last season.
“Best memory was Cat-Griz last season,” Williams said. “I had a couple tackles on kickoff but just being able to do that with College Gameday here. It felt surreal, so I was really juiced up after those plays.”
Williams got a crack at running back last season as well with so many players in that position going down to injury. He did well with the chances he got, running for 43 yards on 12 carries.
“I knew I would’ve loved to play running back again, because I played it in high school,” Williams said. “They told me at halftime they were going to throw me in there. I was juiced because I love running back, that was my first position I ever played. It’s always fun, I enjoyed it. I tried to make the most of it.”
Williams played running back at Tahoma High School in Washington. As a senior he ran for 227 yards on 39 carries and caught 26 passes for 332 yards.
“It’s been a good experience so far,” Williams says of his time at MSU. “Just trying to fill in where the team needs me. Help out in any way I can.”
This Saturday’s game against Eastern Washington will be the final regular-season home game for Williams the rest of the Bobcat seniors.
“It’s always fun,” Williams says of home games. “It’s exciting to be here (Bobcat Stadium). It’s electric and I think that definitely contributes to how we start, having our fans behind us.
“I had the privilege of having two older brothers I got to watch go through before. I try to learn from them and take it day by day and really enjoy the experience. Make the minutes count but as it comes to an end, a lot of reflecting on my career here and everything.”
Williams also appreciates the time he spent in junior college despite some of its hardships.
“JUCO experience was tough,” he said. “Everyone likes to ask me about it, but it was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. Laney (College) has a good culture, a good program. Met a lot of my lifelong friends. That experience really shapes you as a person. The junior college struggles, I just feel privileged to make it past that situation, but I definitely learned a lot and I really appreciate it.”
Williams has taken a lot of snaps this season at wide receiver and has caught two passes for 16 yards.
“A lot of guys joke around because we call ourselves Air Rock, but a lot of guys call us Air Block because we do take pride in blocking,” Williams said. “They say if you can’t block, you can’t play, so all of us really focus and concentrate on getting those blocks. We know it’ll open it up for our running game. Help our linemen out and everything. Whatever I can do to contribute to that I’m going to do it.”
Williams will be out tackling, catching, running and whatever else pops up Saturday afternoon at 1 when the Bobcats host Eastern Washington at Bobcat Stadium.
