Kyle Williams idolized Stefon Diggs growing up, but doesn’t want Patriots teammate to know that
"There was something about him that stuck out to me and I just gravitated towards him.”
Kyle Williams is not only living his lifelong dream of playing in the NFL, but he’s also doing it alongside a player he grew up admiring.
The Patriots’ rookie shared that Stefon Diggs was his favorite wide receiver growing up as a kid in Inglewood, California, following Saturday’s training camp practice. However, the Patriots’ veteran wide receiver doesn’t know that.
“Nah, not yet,” Williams told reporters with a laugh when asked if Diggs knew about the admiration he has for him. “Once he retires, then I got it.”
It might be hard for Diggs not to know that now as Williams wasn’t shy to share with the media. He also didn’t hesitate to share why Diggs was his favorite wide receiver growing up.
“I mean, he was just different. He was crafty,” Williams said. “I mean, there was something about him that stuck out to me and I just gravitated towards him.”
Williams, who was born in Maryland, recalled Diggs’s college career at Maryland for when he started to admire his new teammate.
“When he was coming out of Maryland, when he was that No. 1, I remember there was a highlight video of Emmitt Smith, or something like that, and I just kept watching him every day,” Williams said.
Williams didn’t clarify what the connection between the highlight video of Diggs and Smith was, but it’s an indication that he’s been a fan of Diggs for longer than maybe the four-time Pro Bowler’s most ardent supporters. Diggs had a solid college career at Maryland, recording 2,227 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns over three seasons. However, he wasn’t a household name among college fans and was selected by the Vikings in the fifth round of the 2015 NFL Draft.
The same could be said about Williams, although his lack of fanfare in the college game might have more to do with where he played rather than a lack of high-end production. He was arguably one of the best non-power conference wide receivers in 2024, recording 70 receptions for 1,198 yards and 14 touchdowns at Washington State last season.
During the draft process, Williams seemed to climb up prospect boards as scouts were impressed by his ability to separate at the line of scrimmage. That led the Patriots to take him with their top third-round pick, selecting Williams at No. 69 overall.
Williams has been one of the top headlines through the first four days of Patriots training camp. He’s gotten reps with the starting unit, while his performance on Day 1 seemed to captivate everyone who was in attendance.
If Williams has more days like that, it’d be tough to envision him not being one of the Patriots’ starting receivers. As Williams was 12 when Diggs was drafted, starting alongside him would really cement a decade’s old dream.
“It’s been a blessing. He’s my favorite receiver,” Williams said. “Being right next to him is just a God[-given] gift.”
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