High school football: Pittsburg coach discusses star receiver’s commitment to Washington
PITTSBURG — Even though high school football season is a summer away, it is a busy time for one of the East Bay’s top programs.
Pittsburg has had a steady stream of college coaches in attendance at its spring practices, to see five-star quarterback Jaden Rashada, four-star receiver Rashid Williams and — as longtime coach Victor Galli put it Thursday — even some of the program’s younger players.
At least one doesn’t need any more recruiting pitches.
The 6-foot-2, 185-pound Williams announced Thursday morning on Twitter that he has orally committed to Washington. The junior has 18 scholarship offers, including from Cal, Oregon State, Arizona and Arizona State, according to 247Sports.com.
His comfort level at Washington sealed the deal, which can’t become official until the December or February signing period.
“He had his slew of suitors,” Galli said. “As coaches, we definitely gave him some advice. We’re happy for him. He’s been weighing his options. He has very good family support and very good coaches’ support. If he’s comfortable, we’re comfortable.”
Former Pittsburg star defensive lineman Jacob Bandes has been at Washington since 2019.
Williams is the first player in Galli’s two decades leading the program to start as a freshman. He has only gotten better since then. Last fall, he caught 55 passes for 753 yards and 11 touchdowns while helping Pittsburg win its North Coast Section title in 30 years and reach a regional game.
“Every year his body is bigger,” Galli said. “His freshman year he was kind of long and gangly. But he’s got a tremendous catch radius. He runs extremely crisp routes. Tough kid, and has some of the best hands I’ve ever seen. He works on his craft.
“I saw a big improvement last year. I can only imagine what he is going to end up becoming. Someday it may translate to him playing on Sundays.”
— Rashid Williams (@Rashidakello6) May 19, 2022
COMMITTED
Rashada wrote on Twitter this week that he will make his commitment on June 18. The junior’s finalists are LSU, Oregon, Florida, Mississippi, Miami, Cal and Texas A&M.
Galli said it’s hard to keep track of the recruiting trail.
But, he added, “I’m happy. Whatever advice we can throw out there for these guys, in the end, I think they’ll be very informed and they’ll do what they feel is best. Parents and coaches can put in their two cents. But these guys are smart. They’re mature. They’ll make the best decision for them.”
The season
Pittsburg will open at home against Bethel on Aug. 26. It will then play Liberty of Henderson, Nevada, in the Honor Bowl at Cathedral Catholic in San Diego on Sept. 3. The Pirates’ non-league schedule also includes Folsom and McClymonds. Galli said he is excited about the trip to San Diego, which will include a tour of the Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, and noted that his program is in talks with ESPN about having a game televised.