UW Football | Nate Williams commits to Huskies

Washington's comeback victory over UCLA on Saturday did more than add fire to the football season this year.

It helped stoke flames for the future.

Inspired by the Huskies' emotional 29-19 victory, Nate Williams of Kennedy High made his oral commitment to Washington shortly after the game.

"I'm staying home for college," Williams confirmed Sunday. "The game definitely helped me make up my mind. To come back from being down 16-7 at halftime and win it, it showed me the type of character and work ethic this team has. It made me definitely confident in my decision. I have no regrets at all. I'm a Dawg."

Williams, a 6-foot-1, 210-pound senior who is considered to be among the state's top running backs and safeties, also had offers from UCLA and Michigan. He attended the game Saturday as a UW guest, but was not making an official visit. While he was already leaning toward Washington, Williams said the performance Saturday sealed the deal.

"I was kind of iffy about it," he said. "That game really made my mind up for me.."

So much so that he couldn't wait to tell assistant coach Chris Tormey, Washington's recruiting coordinator.

"Every time I saw coach Tormey, he'd say, 'Nate, when are you going to make me smile and tell me you're going to be a Husky?' After the game, I went up to him and said, 'Coach, I'm ready to be a Husky.' He shook my hand and gave me a big hug and he couldn't stop smiling."

Williams, who has started for Kennedy of Burien since his freshman year, already is the school's career leading rusher with 3,510 yards. This season, he has run for 630 yards and 13 TDs on 74 carries, an 8.5 yard average a carry.

Kennedy coach Bob Bourgette said he is happy Williams chose Washington.

"He's had four great games," he said. "He was getting a lot of pressure from other Pac-10 schools to commit. I'm really pleased for him. He's always liked Washington and Washington is an up-and-coming program."

That, too, was a factor.

"They have nowhere to go but up," Williams said.

Williams said the Huskies have told him he could wind up playing either running back or safety.

"I have no problem with that at all," he said. "In my opinion, I feel I can do either one. As long as I can see some playing time as a freshman, I don't care."