Kyle Williams idolized Diggs, however does not need Patriots teammate to know

Kyle Williams is just not solely dwelling his lifelong dream of enjoying within the NFL, however he’s additionally doing it alongside a participant he grew up admiring.

The Patriots’ rookie shared that Stefon Diggs was his favourite extensive receiver rising up as a child in Inglewood, California, following Saturday’s coaching camp apply. Nonetheless, the Patriots’ veteran extensive receiver doesn’t know that.

“Nah, not but,” Williams advised reporters with fun when requested if Diggs knew concerning the admiration he has for him. “As soon as he retires, then I obtained it.”

It is perhaps laborious for Diggs to not know that now as Williams wasn’t shy to share with the media. He additionally didn’t hesitate to share why Diggs was his favourite extensive receiver rising up.

“I imply, he was simply completely different. He was artful,” Williams mentioned. “I imply, there was one thing about him that caught out to me and I simply gravitated in direction of him.”

Williams, who was born in Maryland, recalled Diggs’s faculty profession at Maryland for when he began to admire his new teammate.

“When he was popping out of Maryland, when he was that No. 1, I bear in mind there was a spotlight video of Emmitt Smith, or one thing like that, and I simply stored watching him each day,” Williams mentioned.

Williams didn’t make clear what the connection between the spotlight video of Diggs and Smith was, nevertheless it’s a sign that he’s been a fan of Diggs for longer than perhaps the four-time Professional Bowler’s most ardent supporters. Diggs had a strong faculty profession at Maryland, recording 2,227 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns over three seasons. Nonetheless, he wasn’t a family identify amongst faculty followers and was chosen by the Vikings within the fifth spherical of the 2015 NFL Draft.

The identical could possibly be mentioned about Williams, though his lack of fanfare within the faculty sport might need extra to do with the place he performed reasonably than a scarcity of high-end manufacturing. He was arguably top-of-the-line non-power convention extensive receivers in 2024, recording 70 receptions for 1,198 yards and 14 touchdowns at Washington State final season.

Through the draft course of, Williams appeared to climb up prospect boards as scouts have been impressed by his skill to separate on the line of scrimmage. That led the Patriots to take him with their prime third-round choose, deciding on Williams at No. 69 general.

Williams has been one of many prime headlines by means of the primary 4 days of Patriots coaching camp. He’s gotten reps with the beginning unit, whereas his efficiency on Day 1 appeared to captivate everybody who was in attendance.

If Williams has extra days like that, it’d be robust to examine him not being one of many Patriots’ beginning receivers. As Williams was 12 when Diggs was drafted, beginning alongside him would actually cement a decade’s previous dream.

“It’s been a blessing. He’s my favourite receiver,” Williams mentioned. “Being proper subsequent to him is only a God[-given] present.”