Keith Williams believes Husker football is 'a special place right now' for recruits to create legacy
Nebraska’s Keith Williams sees current recruits with a similar opportunity to the one he experienced as a Husker player.
Williams, now Nebraska’s assistant director of player personnel, was part of Bill Callahan’s 2006 recruiting class, but played a big role in the early success of the Bo Pelini era, appearing in 50 games and earning second-team All-Big 12 honors as a senior in 2010.
“When I got here, it was kind of that transformation from Callahan to Pelini and being able to go to a place where you have an opportunity to create your whole legacy,” Williams told Husker247 last week. “As a recruit you’re able to come in and make your legacy at Nebraska. Be a part of that change. I was part of that change. Going to Big 12 championships and being able to create those memories in Nebraska history. Kids, they have the opportunity right now starting from scratch, coming in with Coach Rhule and create their own legacy at Nebraska.
“Almost everybody on our coaching staff has NFL ties. Our AD lived the path as a player. I think it’s a special place right now. Coach Rhule has done a great job getting guys opportunities to showcase their talents.”
A St. Louis native, Williams is now working with Nebraska assistant Rob Dvoracek to pull talent from Kansas and Missouri — two states brimming with talent, but with mixed results for Nebraska in recent recruiting classes.
Williams returned to Nebraska in May 2022 after coaching Bethel University in Tennessee and Missouri Baptist. He said his connections in St. Louis made him a natural fit to help Nebraska’s efforts in the city. Nebraska’s coaches have been regular attendees as the Mega Camp at Lindenwood University, but there’s an opportunity to do more in St. Louis because of the mentality of the players there, Williams said.
"It’s so unique,” Williams said of St. Louis. “There are guys who are underdogs down there, great developmental guys down there. The best thing about those guys — they fit the Midwest culture. Them coming to Nebraska isn’t a culture shock. It would be a perfect fit for what they’re used to. That’s really big. It’s easy for families to come see them. I think it’s a perfect fit all-around.
“I think St. Louis is very competitive. You go to that Lindenwood camp, there’s so many guys there. It’s such a hotbed for talent. Everybody is coming in there to recruit and that’s what we’re coming in there to do. I think it’s great to have somebody from there to relate to guys in the area. It’s good to go into that area to compete. With me in my background and guys on the staff who are serious recruiters. That’s helps us.”
Nebraska added St. Louis native Marcus Washington out of the transfer portal last year. Before that, the last scholarship player to sign with Nebraska out of high school was Tre Bryant in 2016.
Former Husker wide receiver Chris Brooks is the offensive coordinator at Lutheran High School in St. Charles, Missouri, and talks regularly with Williams. Brooks said having those connections in St. Louis is important, where the coaching community is close-knit.
"On a high school level you have to have those relationships at the high school level, and Nebraska is really lucky they have Keith,” Brooks said. “I really mean that. Nebraska is lucky that they have Keith. He wasn’t a big flashy wide receiver. He was a big lineman, but when he walked into the gym, everybody was looking at Keith. His dad is very, very well known in the community. Those relationships and being around — that’s really what it is.”
Williams was able to get on the road multiple times in the last year to recruit, stepping in for offensive coordinator Mark Whipple when health concerns kept him in Lincoln. Williams was also in schools in December while Rhule completed his staff.
Williams said he took great pride being able to walk into schools with the red 'N' on his chest. He sees the opportunity for Nebraska in Kansas and Missouri given their proximity to Lincoln. Williams said sending coaches to clinics in the states and being regulars in high schools are important to more consistent success in the region.
“Rob (Dvoracek) went to schools that haven’t been touched in awhile,” Williams said. “Ed Foley hit schools. I went down there and hit some schools in that area. Now is time to be consistent with it and building relationships. We want that relationship so strong that the first word on their minds is Nebraska. I think we’re on the right track."
