Prep talk: Andrew Williams shows the way from Fremont to USC
Fremont High is less than five miles from USC, but it might as well be in another state because it’s been difficult for football players from downtown Los Angeles to end up signing with the Trojans.
Fremont All-City defensive end Andrew Williams signed with USC on Wednesday, the first downtown signee since Joseph Lewis and Greg Johnson signed from Hawkins High in 2017.
Fremont coach Derek Benton said he recognized the significance of the accomplishment.
“It’s historic for the city and the school that an African-American is experiencing this moment,” he said.
USC has recruited athletes from the city section in recent years. Anthony Beavers (2021), Joshua Jackson (2020) and Raymond Scott (2018) all came from Narbonne.
Williams may be Fremont’s best college prospect since wide receiver Mark Bradford, who graduated in 2003 and went on to stand out at Stanford. The late Ricky Bell was a star running back for the Trojans in the 1970s out of Fremont before becoming a first-round NFL draft pick.
Williams is 6-foot-5 and 220 pounds and had 10 sacks last season.
Living 10 blocks away in Fremont with his grandmother since he was 7, Williams said he didn’t discover football until first grade. He said he had too much time on his hands until he reached high school and found something to focus on. USC assistant coach Chad Savage spotted him while he was an assistant at Colorado State.
He will now become a pioneer to show others the way to university.
This is a daily look at positive happenings in high school sports. To submit news, please email eric.sondheimer@latimes.com.
