A GOOD CATCH WILLIAMS PLEASED HE CHOSE USC TO PLAY WIDE RECEIVER.

Byline: Scott Wolf  Staff Writer

When Florida coach Ron Zook walked into Mike Williams' house for a recruiting visit, he couldn't help but say, ``You're a big one,'' to the 6-foot-5 inch wide receiver.

But Zook's next comment didn't go over quite as well. Zook told Williams he should switch to strong safety if he wanted to play as a freshman for the Gators. The remark fell so flat that Williams moved 3,000 miles to play college football.

USC rarely steals a recruit from Florida, especially one who grew up in Tampa, but Zook's poorly tuned pitch sent Williams packing.

``Coach Zook wanted me for something else. I gave Coach Zook a chance,'' Williams said. ``Guys my size are kind of dominating the game at wide receiver. There's a big demand for them. That's where I want to play.''

Florida wasn't the only school that wanted Williams as a safety. So did defending national champion Miami. Only the Sunshine State's other power, Florida State, wanted him as a receiver, but so many players returned at the position that Williams chose USC.

Like many Trojans recruits, Williams became attracted to USC coach Pete Carroll's promise that plenty of playing time was available.

``Coach Carroll never told any of us that we were going to redshirt,'' Williams said. ``It definitely made me come here. When (offensive coordinator) Norm Chow came to visit he said, `Let's get something straight, you need to be ready to go.' ''

Williams' first college game backed up his decision, as he caught four passes for 56 yards against Auburn and already appears to be an integral part of the Trojans' offense.

``He's been better than we thought he would be,'' Carroll said. ``He's really natural. I believe he can handle the bright lights.''

Like other schools recruiting Williams, USC wasn't quite sure what it would get. He caught 38 passes at Plant High in Tampa, but a lot of schools expected Williams was too big (6-5, 210 pounds) to remain a receiver and would move to tight end.

``We watched him on tape and didn't know how nifty he would be on the field,'' Carroll said. ``We thought he would be a wide receiver, but like other teams, didn't know if he would grow into another position.

``Seeing his frame, he's a wideout for sure.''

Williams quickly became one of USC's top three receivers, with Keary Colbert and Kareem Kelly, and he's risen up the depth chart by catching nearly everything thrown his way in practice.

Cornerbacks almost dread defending him because he's so tall.

``He's a big boy,'' cornerback Marcell Allmond said. ``He blocks the ball from the defensive back seeing it. That's how he gets catches.''

Williams' height isn't the only thing that sets him apart from typical freshmen. When he talks about himself, he's so matter-of-fact discussing his ability he sounds more like a professional athlete than an 18-year-old.

He doesn't have the swagger of Kelly, just a self-assured demeanor that makes it seem as if nothing could overwhelm him.

``Mike seems to be able to handle what's going on,'' Carroll said.

Or as Williams puts it, ``If you don't have confidence, you're going to get beat up.''

Perhaps in a display of that confidence, he insisted on wearing No. 1 before coming to USC.

The maturity might come from his childhood. Williams was brought up by his great aunt and, when he was 14, was legally adopted by Jack and Kathy McCurdy.

``I've known them my whole life,'' Williams said. ``Right before high school, I got taken in by them so I could go to a better high school. But my aunt raised me with good moral values.''

Teammates believe his confidence should not be confused with cockiness.

``He's from Florida, they're all confident,'' Allmond said. ``He not real arrogant, he's confident. The guys from Florida are easy going and not afraid to get involved with the team.''

And just in case Williams' ego grows, USC defensive end Omar Nazel delivered a lecture Wednesday.

``He told me, `Just because you had a good first game, you're not proven,' '' Williams said. ``He was right. I don't get too caught up in the hype. I just think my decision worked to come here.''

Chances are Williams wouldn't be at USC if Carroll wasn't trying to rebuild the program. Ten freshmen played in USC's opening victory over Auburn.

``The freshman have been fortunate there's so much help needed, and he took advantage of the opportunity,'' Chow said. ``He's going to be a great player if he works hard.''

Fate also played a role in Williams' move West.

Williams probably would have gone to Florida if coach Steve Spurrier stayed, but when Spurrier resigned to become the Washington Redskins coach, it changed everything.

``Spurrier was the first coach at my high school,'' Williams said. ``He laid out how he could fit me into their offense. He had a game plan.''

Spurrier's departure turned out to be USC's gain.

``Coach Carroll's been around, and he says if a freshman is the best player, why wouldn't he play?'' Williams said. ``If we mess up, Coach Carroll will yank us out of the lineup.

``Some programs give a sales pitch and redshirt you before you know it. If a freshman gets the job done here, no one will question it.''

So far, there's been no questions asked about Williams.

MIKE WILLIAMS FILE

Height: 6-5.

Weight: 210.

Class: Freshman.

Hometown: Tampa, Fla.

Notable: A high-school All-American in football, Williams was an all-county basketball player, averaging 16.9 points, 8.3 rebounds and 4.6 assists his senior year.

Personal: Williams was raised by his great aunt and adopted by family friends as a teen-ager.

CAPTION(S):

photo, box

Photo:

(color) USC wide receiver Mike Williams chose USC over Florida because the Gators wanted him to play at strong safety.

Gus Ruelas/Staff Photographer

Box:

MIKE WILLIAMS FILE (see text)