Bay Area Cougs Report: Kristoff Williams of Antioch, California

October 27, 2012; Stanford, CA, USA; Washington State Cougars wide receiver Kristoff Williams (18) scores a touchdown against Stanford Cardinal safety Zach Hoffpauir (10) during the fourth quarter at Stanford Stadium. The Cardinal defeated the Cougars 24-17. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Welcome to the Bay Area Cougs Report.  Since Washington State has been a part of the Pac10/Pac12 Conference there has been a deep connection with the University and the Bay Area in California.  It’s not just a stop once or twice a year on our schedule, it’s become one of our deepest areas for recruiting outside of Washington and has produced some of our most exciting players. Today we’ll be highlighting a player who came in with a lot of hype and hopefully will be fully unleashed next year, Kristoff Williams.

Although born in Federal Way Washington, Kristoff Williams went to school at Deer Valley High school in Antioch California which is just 19 miles from where I live right now.  In the bay, Kristoff was an all-around stud.  He was a two year letter winner, a four year scholar athlete, a team captain and also a National Football League Hall of Fame Scholar Athlete.

In Kristoff’s junior year of high school he combined for nearly 600 yards rushing and receiving, scoring seven touchdowns but he performed on both sides of the ball.  On defense he recorded 25 tackles (12 solo), two interceptions and five pass break-ups…garnered second-team All-Bay Valley Athletic League and third-team All-East Bay…  Kristoff had a stellar Senior year as well named second-team All-Northern California at all-purpose by GoldenStatePreps.com…voted unanimously as the Bay Valley Athletic League’s Most Valuable Player.

This kid has been a valuable asset for the Cougs as well.  He redshirted his freshman year but played his first full season in 2011.  In his first season at WSU Kristoff showed his versatility, playing in 11 games and starting in 2.  His first career reception was a 20-yard touchdown against Idaho State and then he went on to catch four passes for 89 yards including 57-yard touchdown catch against UNLV and then threw a 47-yard touchdown pass to Bobby Ratliff in fourth quarter against Utah that earned Cougars Big Play accolades.

Under Mike Leach’s new Air Raid system in 2012, Williams’ role worked more into a short passing game scheme.  He had more receptions but nearly half the yards per catch, he also had twice as many touchdowns at 4.

Kristoffwill be going into his redshirt junior season and he is going to be even more key.  We knew he was capable of big things coming in but I think we all pictured more of a Marquess Wilson deep threat. K.W. reminds me more of Michael Bumpus,  short routes over the middle and sideline routes make K.W. a scoring threat inside the redzone, much like Bumpus was.

He is an all around athlete, quick off his stance for his size and crafty in the middle of the field, this is a key for the Air Raid and I think we’ll see Kristoff really take off next year. Keep an eye out for #18.

This Bay Area product has been a great pickup for the Cougs as are many.  I will continue to keep you filled in on our connection with the bay with the Bay Area Cougs Report right here from ground Zero! Stay tuned for our next special as we stay in the east bay looking at basketball freshman Junior Longrus from Oakland, and what he will do for our b-ball teams in the coming years.

Go Cougs!