Third in a sequence of tales profiling prime highschool soccer gamers by place. Right now, Madden Williams, St. John Bosco receiver.
If blockers are a quarterback’s finest mates, what are receivers?
“It’s our job to make the quarterback look good,” St. John Bosco’s Madden Williams mentioned.
Few groups in Southern California begin the 2025 season with a greater assortment of receivers than the Braves.
It begins with the 6-foot-2, 190-pound Williams, a Texas A&M commit who caught 13 landing passes as a junior. Then there’s Oklahoma commit Daniel Odom, San Jose State commit Carson Clark, tremendous sophomores Darren Tubbs and Landon Perkins and two extremely regarded freshmen.
“Not solely is it our greatest group however deepest,” coach Jason Negro mentioned.
In 2019, St. John Bosco had Logan Loya, Kris Hutson and Beaux Collins on the receiver positions. They ended up at UCLA, Washington State and Clemson, respectively.
Now sophomore quarterback Koa Malau’ulu would be the beneficiary of an electrical receiver group that can pressure defenses to choose their poison. Double group one and also you’ll get burned by one other.
“Whomever they attempt to double, the others will go off,” Williams mentioned.
As a freshman final season, Malau’ulu seemed for Williams to ship massive performs. And that’s what he did, reinforcing the quarterback’s confidence in him.
“I might say what makes him nice is that he has no weak point,” Malau’ulu mentioned. “He’s a go-getter. Every time we are able to go get additional work, he’s there. He’ll get any ball in his neighborhood. He’s quick, robust and bodily — every little thing you need in a receiver.”
Williams trusts his fingers and makes use of elementary strategies to make performs. His size offers him a bonus over smaller defenders. And as soon as the ball is close to him, his fingers discover a solution to catch it like a magnet interested in steel.
“Palms are the strongest items of my recreation,” he mentioned. “You ensure you look the ball in. Lots of people are too fearful what they’re going to do after a catch. One-hand catches are cool, however solely do it when you must do it.”
As for coping with defensive backs who’re aggressive and powerful, Williams mentioned, “The technique is ensuring you don’t allow them to contact you. That’s what we work, on releases and never let the defensive backs redirect. We all know the route we’re operating. We’ve to verify they don’t take us off the route we now have. Generally they guess proper, however more often than not I don’t assume they’ll — at the very least towards me.”
The person duel between receiver and defensive again is sort of a soccer model of cat-and-mouse.
“It’s at all times you and the defensive again,” Williams mentioned. “You’re on an island and it’s who’s higher on the finish of the day.”
Defensive coordinator Chris King has referred to as Williams “unguardable.” Williams responded with seven catches for 252 yards and three touchdowns towards Sierra Canyon final season.
“He’s received such nice route operating capability, is aware of leverage and understands coverages,” Negro mentioned. “He’s tremendous savvy and his soccer IQ is off the charts.”
Williams additionally performed on the basketball group although he was a reserve. He mentioned the practices have been useful growing the talents wanted for soccer.
In the long run, Williams follows a motto that he hopes will carry him ahead in sports activities and in life.
“What occurs at the hours of darkness will at all times be delivered to gentle,” he mentioned. “I’m going to be grinding at the hours of darkness and when it’s time to shine within the gentle, I’ll play the most effective.”
Friday: Servite tight finish Luke Sorensen.
Receivers to look at
Demare Dezeurn, Palisades, 5-11, 175, Jr. One of many quickest in California ought to dominate in Metropolis Part
Troy Foster, Huntington Seaside, 6-2, 205, Sr.: Colorado State commit caught 15 touchdowns
Quentin Hale, L.A. Cathedral, 6-3, 175, Jr.: Caught 14 TDs as a sophomore
Chris Henry Jr., Mater Dei, 6-6, 200, Sr.: Ohio State commit is lastly wholesome and able to placed on present
Trent Mosley, Santa Margarita, 5-11, 170, Sr.: USC commit is big-play weapon and difficult to cease
Daniel Odom, St. John Bosco, 6-3, 190, Sr.: Oklahoma commit has dimension to be a prime participant
Vance Spafford, Mission Viejo, 5-11, 175, Sr.: Miami commit has super velocity and nice fingers
Madden Williams, St. John Bosco, 6-2, 190, Sr.: Physicality, energy, instincts make him big-time goal
Kayden Dixon-Wyatt, Mater Dei, 6-3, 180, Sr.: Ohio State commit delivers one massive catch after one other
Luc Weaver, Sherman Oaks Dame, 6-3, 195, Sr.: USC commit has improved velocity, work ethic, aggressiveness
