Interview: 3-Star Cal CB/ATH Commit Tyson McWilliams Talks Senior Season
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
When people talk about top California skill athletes, it is hard not to instantly think of Tyson McWilliams. The St. Augustine High School standout has been doing it all against San Diego Division I competition over the last two seasons and the results have been nothing but wins for the Saints. The other development has been three-star status with some 20 offers and a Oct. 20th punched ticket to be a Cal Golden Bear.
McWilliams is talented, athletic, and lucky. He has the desired speed of any skill guy posting a 4.47 laser-timed 40. He is not just fast, but he can move and has technique to his game, especially at corner. The lucky part, being 6-2, 175-pounds, with speed like that, that is hard to come by on the gridiron. McWilliams has put the time and effort into his game ending the 2018 season with 24 receptions for 338 yards with a score and put an end to 39 plays with three tackles for a loss, two picks, three forced fumbles, and broke up an amazing 29 passes. His senior season is much the same, part-time work on offense hauling in 13 for 295 with three trips into the end zone and success covering the best of the best producing 21 tackles, 16 solo, with a tackle for a loss, two picks, and 12 pass breakups.
With the Saints heading to the playoffs ready to take on area rival Helix for a second time this season, I got a few minutes in with McWilliams covering his final regular season of football and received insight on how Cal earned his verbal commitment.
Interview
Tyson, the Saints took it to the competition this season posting an 8-2 record. The defense was tough all year keeping teams to 17 points per game on average. What was working well for that side of the ball this year?
“We kept the same scheme from last year. All the teams knew what we were running, but we made it work. We run the same base defense about 95 percent of the time in man coverage and doing stunts and blitzes to create turnovers. It has been successful for us.”
The offense has been blistering as well. What has been the key to success there?
“We had a lot of returning guys and a lot of weapons on offense. Our quarterback, tight end, receivers are all weapons and we had a lot of our offensive linemen back. Our offensive coordinator did a great job of calling plays this season putting us in position to make plays. Defense leads to offense in football. When the defense shuts out teams, that opens up the offense as well.”
You do so much on the field, and in all three phases of the game. Where all are you lining up this year?
“I am play corner, at receiver on the outside and slot, and I am our punter and punt returner as well.”
I didn’t know you were the punter as well. You truly are doing it all. Of all the positions played, which is your favorite?
“I like playing corner. Obviously, playing for the Saints defense, we have pride not giving up yards. I like that we run man coverage. It is all one-on-one on the outside. You can be competitive and physical playing man and you can make plays on the ball.”
Going into the schedule, what were some of the things on a personal level you wanted to accomplish?
“For myself, my goal is always to win my personal matchups in each game. Running man coverage, the goal is winning my matchup and helping my team win. We won CIF last year, I want us to win the Open this year. That is what drives me and my team. We are a selfless team. I feel that if we win, our own personal goals will come true. The personal accolades will come if we win.”
A hard but good question for you. Overall, where are you showing improvements on offense and defense this season?
“On offense, we have a lot of receivers that can make plays. Our offensive coordinator and our head coach, they use me as needed on offense. We had some injuries early in the season, so I played more then. This season my yards after the catch, my YAC, improved. My overall speed has improved. I worked on that with our weight coach in the offseason. Speed translates on both sides of the ball. I gained weight and go bigger and faster. That has helped with making tackles on defense. I have worked on my off coverage this season. I have gotten better at that – at staying three to five yards off the receiver. That allows me to read the QB and have a feel for the game. It also helps me make plays on the ball and come up for tackles against the run.”
You have wheels out there. What is the best 40-yard time you have put down?
“My best was a 4.47 at our school. That was laser-timed two times in a row.”
A couple of weeks ago you committed to Cal. What was it about the Golden Bears that worked as an ideal next level fit for you?
“I had a lot of offers form different places from big name schools and Ivy League schools. I am a big guy on academics and life after football. Playing football, it will come to an end at some point. The Cal degree caught my eye and the relationship the coaching staff built with me. They were one of the first programs to reach out my junior year. When the contact period began, they reached out – that caught my eye. At that time, Coach (Gerald) Alexander (DB) told me he wanted to see some improvements in my game. When they saw the improvements, they made me an offer. I went on a visit and liked it. I made my decision to go to Cal off football, academics, and networking for a successful future in any aspect of life.”
How will they use you within their scheme?
“At Cal I will play outside corner. I am happy with that.”
Are you recruiting others, if so, how are you helping bring other 2020 talents to Berkeley?
“As a class we do a good job of contacting guys on the verge of committing. We have a group chat going. We are talking and bonding already on Snapchat and Instagram chat. Some players have committed and some have not. There are a lot of great freshman talent coming in with this class. I am using that to get guys to join the family to make something special there for us.”
Back to football. The Saints made the playoffs drawing a familiar foe. This is payback time for you guys getting to avenge a 44-38 September loss to Helix. What were the differences in the September showdown between a win for you guys and the loss?
“We feel like we left a lot on the field. They capitalized on our mistakes, we had two fumbles that led to touchdowns for them. We did a poor job tackling and made mistakes we do not usually make. We split last year in the regular season and in the playoffs, but we got them back in the playoffs (21-20 OT). This rivalry is one of the most competitive in San Diego. We feel like we left a lot out there in our last game. They are talented. We feel like we match up with them well. It will be a competitive game again.”
Tyson, it was great getting time in with you today covering all that you do on the field and your recruiting process with Cal. Wishing you and the Saints success in the playoffs.
“Thank you.”
*McWilliams’ Offer Sheet: Air Force, Army, BYU, California, California-Davis, Colorado State, Cornell, Dartmouth, Hawaii, Iowa State, Navy, Nebraska, Oregon State, Pennsylvania, San Diego State, Tulane, Utah State, and Wyoming
Photo credit: McWilliams family; Tyson McWilliams at Cal