Wednesday's practice started different from the moment I walked into the locker room. Coach Rivera was waiting by my usual spot with the second team, holding a practice jersey with a different number.
"Williams, gear up with the first team today. You're getting some reps with the ones."
My stomach jumped. "For real, Coach?"
"Don't make me regret it. This is an evaluation, not a promotion."
I grabbed my stuff and moved over to the first team section. Tyler Brooks was already there, lacing up his cleats. When he saw me approaching, his jaw tightened.
"So they're really doing this," he said.
"Just getting some reps, man."
"Uh-huh." Tyler stood up and grabbed his helmet. "We'll see how you handle real coverage."
Cameron was getting dressed nearby and gave me an encouraging nod. "You got this, bro."
But I could feel the tension in the locker room. The first team guys were sizing me up, wondering if I belonged with them. The second team guys were looking at me like I was abandoning ship.
----
I stood on the sideline watching the first team receivers run through their warm-up routes, my mind already working through the possibilities.
For three years, we'd been a good but not great team. Always competitive, never quite championship level. We had the talent, the facilities, the coaching. But we'd been missing that explosive X-factor - that second elite receiver who could create a dynamic duo.
Tyler Brooks was more than solid. The kid had offers from Stanford, UCLA, and USC for a reason. Elite and elusive route runner, dependable hands, natural leadership. He was averaging 72 catches for 1,100 yards this season - numbers that would start at most Division I programs.
But watching Williams work with the second team yesterday had me thinking about something I hadn't considered in years. What if we didn't need to replace our star receiver? What if we could create a tandem that was unstoppable?
I'd been studying the 2019 LSU offense all week, rewatching how they utilized Justin Jefferson and Ja'Marr Chase together. Two elite receivers with different skill sets who made each other better.
That LSU team averaged 240 yards receiving and 15 catches from their top two receivers per game. They were the first team in SEC history with two 1,000-yard receivers in the same season, and they went 15-0 with a national championship.
What if we could create something similar?
Tyler had the precision and consistency of Jefferson - a future NFL player who could find soft spots in any coverage. Williams had the explosive potential and contested catch ability that reminded me of Chase.
Two elite receivers with complementary skill sets could make us impossible to defend.
"Coach Martinez," I called over to my receivers coach. "Let's run some two-receiver sets today. I want to see how Williams and Brooks work together."
Martinez raised an eyebrow. "You thinking about using both as co-number ones?"
"I'm thinking about creating the most dangerous receiving duo this league has ever seen."-breaking receiver who could take over when it mattered.
Tyler Brooks was solid. Reliable hands, good route runner, team captain. But he wasn't the kind of player who struck fear into opposing defensive coordinators.
Watching Williams work with the second team yesterday had me thinking about something I hadn't considered in years. What if we didn't need to replace Tyler? What if we could use both of them?
I'd been studying the 2019 LSU offense all week, rewatching how they utilized Justin Jefferson and Ja'Marr Chase together. Two completely different receivers - Jefferson the precise route runner, Chase the explosive playmaker - who complemented each other perfectly.
That LSU team had 240 yards receiving and 15 catches from their top two receivers per game. They were the first team in SEC history with two 1,000-yard receivers in the same season.
What if we could create something similar?
Tyler had the reliability and leadership of Jefferson - the guy who caught 111 passes for 1,540 yards with precise route running. Williams had the explosive potential of Chase - the ability to break games open with big plays and contested catches.
"Coach Martinez," I called over to my receivers coach. "Let's run some two-receiver sets today. I want to see how Williams and Brooks work together."
Martinez raised an eyebrow. "You thinking about using both as primary targets?"
"I'm thinking about creating the most dangerous offense this league has ever seen."
"First team offense!" Coach Rivera called out. "Let's get to work!"
I jogged out with the starters, feeling that familiar electricity building in my chest. This was different from the second team scrimmages. Everything moved faster, hit harder.
Cameron was behind center, looking comfortable and confident. Dustin Samuel was at running back - a senior who'd been the featured back for two years. The offensive line was massive, all upperclassmen who'd been playing together since freshman year.
I lined up wide right. Tyler was split left. Across from me was Dante Johnson, their best cornerback - same dude who'd been talking shit at the coffee shop.
"Welcome to the big leagues, rook," Dante said as we got set. "Hope you brought your lunch money."
"We'll see who's buying lunch."
Cameron surveyed the defense, his voice cutting through the crowd noise. "Trips right! Trips right! Y-option on two!"
At the snap, I released clean off the line. Dante was playing about six yards off, giving me a free release. I ran straight up the seam for ten yards, reading the safety's leverage the whole time.
The free safety was shaded toward Tyler - probably expecting the ball to go to the proven guy. That left a window between Dante and the strong safety.
I broke my route off at twelve yards, sitting down in the soft spot of the zone. Cameron's pass was already on the way, a tight spiral that I caught with both hands at chest level.
SMACK
Dante hit me right as I secured the ball, but I held on and gained three more yards before going down.
"Nice read," Cameron said in the huddle. "You saw it exactly right."
Tyler gave me a nod. Dude was evaluating me, trying to figure out if I was legit.
Next play, Cameron called out: "Gun spread! Y-corner, X-post on one!"
I lined up in the slot this time. The nickel corner was smaller, quicker. This was gonna be about technique.
SNAP
I drove hard at the corner's outside shoulder for eight yards, selling the comeback with my eyes and shoulders. He bought it, sitting down to jump the route.
Then I planted my outside foot and broke toward the corner of the end zone, creating immediate separation. Cameron's throw was perfectly placed - back shoulder, where only I could get it.
I had to slow down and come back to the ball, catching it with soft hands over my inside shoulder. Simple technique, clean execution.
POP
The safety flew over my head, arriving too late to make a play.
"Money!" Dustin yelled from the backfield. "That's how you run a route!"
But it was the third play that really got everyone's attention.
Cameron read the coverage pre-snap and made an audible. "Kill, kill! Flood right! Flood right!"
I knew the concept - flood one side with three receivers and force the defense to choose who to cover.
I was running the deepest route, a comeback at eighteen yards. Tyler had a dig underneath, and our tight end was running a drag across the formation.
I released vertical, using my eyes to sell the corner route. The safety bought the fake and started drifting toward the sideline.
At fifteen yards, I planted and broke back toward Cameron. The timing was perfect - the ball was already in the air when I made my cut.
But the linebacker had jumped Tyler's dig route, putting himself right in my catching window.
I had to adjust on the fly, reaching high over the linebacker's head to snatch the ball with my fingertips. Brought it down clean to my chest as I fell backward.
THUD
Twenty-yard gain.
"Goddamn," I heard someone say from the sideline.
Tyler jogged over as we headed back to the huddle. "Nice hands, bro. That was a tough catch."
"Your route cleared out the middle for me."
For the first time since I'd gotten here, it felt like we were working together instead of against each other.
We kept rolling. Cameron called a double move concept: "Stick and go! X-option!"
I lined up outside, studying Dante's alignment. He was playing press coverage, trying to jam me at the line.
SNAP
I gave him a hard jab step inside, then ripped past his outside shoulder. At six yards, I planted and looked back like I was expecting the ball on a quick slant.
Dante bit hard, jumping forward to defend the short route.
I immediately broke vertical, using a burst of acceleration to get past him. Cameron's deep ball was already coming, a perfect spiral over my outside shoulder.
POP
I tracked it without breaking stride, catching it in full sprint thirty-five yards downfield.
"Holy shit!" Dustin was jumping up and down. "Where did that speed come from?"
We ran fifteen more plays. I caught eight passes - posts, outs, curls, drags, even a reverse pivot on a zig route that had the linebacker spinning in circles. Tyler caught seven, including a beautiful back-shoulder fade where he used his body to shield the defender perfectly.
But more importantly, we were creating opportunities for each other. My vertical speed was opening up underneath routes for Tyler. His precision route running was setting up explosive plays for me.
During a water break, Coach Rivera motioned both of us over.
"Gentlemen, I want to have a conversation with both of you."
Tyler's face tensed up. Probably thought he was about to get demoted.
"Tyler, you've been the leader of this receiving corps for two years. Stanford, UCLA, USC - they all want you for a reason. You understand the game at a college level already."
"Thank you, Coach."
"Williams, you bring a different element. Explosiveness, contested catch ability, the capacity to make plays that change games."
I nodded, not sure where this was going.
"What I'm thinking about is using both of you as co-number ones. Not competing for one spot, but creating the most dangerous receiving combination this league has ever seen."
Tyler's eyebrows went up, but I could see his jaw tighten. "What does that mean for my targets? My stats?"
"Think about 2019 LSU. Justin Jefferson and Ja'Marr Chase. Two elite receivers with different skill sets who made each other unstoppable. Jefferson was the route runner who moved the chains. Chase was the explosive playmaker who broke games open."
Coach Rivera looked at both of us.
"Tyler, you've got Jefferson's precision and football IQ. College-level route running already. Williams, you've got that game-breaking ability that defenses can't scheme for."
Tyler was quiet, processing. I could see him wrestling with it.
"So what does that mean for the offense?" Tyler asked, his voice careful.
"It means we're going to use formations and concepts that get both of you involved. It means defenses can't key on one receiver because they have to account for two legitimate threats."
Tyler looked at me, then back at Coach Rivera. "And you think this gives us the best chance to win?"
"I think this gives us the best chance to win a championship."
That word hung in the air. Championship. Tyler's expression shifted slightly.
"Look," Tyler said, running a hand through his hair. "I'm not gonna lie - I've been the guy here for two years. My whole recruitment is based on being the number one option."
I stayed quiet, letting him work through it.
"But..." Tyler continued, looking directly at me now. "I'm tired of losing games we should win. I'm tired of being good enough to compete but not good enough to dominate."
He was quiet for another moment.
"If this setup gets us over the hump, if it gets us to state, then..." Tyler extended his hand, though I could see the reluctance in his eyes. "We do whatever it takes to win. But I want to be clear - this isn't me being happy about sharing touches. This is me choosing winning over individual stats."
I shook his hand. "I respect that. And I'm not trying to take your spot - I'm trying to help us win too."
Tyler nodded curtly. "Good. Because if we're doing this, we better actually win some games. I'm not splitting targets just to finish second in league."
Coach Rivera smiled, but I could tell he recognized the tension still there. "Outstanding. Now let's get back to work and see what this looks like."
The rest of practice was a revelation. Instead of running traditional offensive sets, Coach Rivera started implementing concepts that put both Tyler and me in position to make plays.
Bunch formations where we could create natural picks for each other. Motion concepts that put us in favorable matchups. Route combinations that forced safeties to choose between covering two legitimate threats.
Cameron called the next play: "Mesh concept! Tyler drag, Jakari crosser!"
SNAP
Tyler and I ran crossing routes from opposite sides of the formation, timing our paths to cross right in front of the linebackers.
I gave a subtle shoulder fake to the outside, making the linebacker bite, then cut hard inside. Tyler's route created a natural pick, and I caught the ball in stride with soft hands, fifteen yards downfield.
The safety arrived just as I secured the catch, but I'd already gained what we needed.
Next play: "Four verts! Read the coverage!"
I lined up outside, studying the safety alignment. Two-deep coverage - they were trying to take away the deep ball.
SNAP
I drove vertical for twelve yards, then sat down in the window between the linebackers and safeties. Simple route, but I had to sell it with my hips - making the safety think I was going deeper before breaking off the route.
Cameron's pass was right on time, hitting me in the chest for a twelve-yard gain.
"Dig concept!" Cameron barked out. "On one!"
SNAP
I released inside, running straight at the middle linebacker. At ten yards, I planted my inside foot and broke hard toward the sideline, creating separation with my shoulder fake.
The ball was already coming when I made my break. I caught it over my outside shoulder, turning upfield immediately for extra yardage.
Tyler was running a similar route from the other side, and our timing created a natural rub that freed both of us up.
"Stop and go! Stop and go!"
SNAP
I drove hard at Dante for eight yards, then planted and looked back like I was expecting the ball. My eyes sold the route perfectly - Dante jumped forward to defend the quick throw.
Then I broke vertical with a burst, getting behind him easily. Cameron's deep ball was perfect, dropping it right over my outside shoulder where I could catch it in stride.
POP
Thirty-yard gain, and I didn't even have to jump for it.
Red zone now. Goal line situation.
"Red! Red! Fade concept!"
I lined up tight to the sideline, studying the coverage. The cornerback was playing inside shade, the safety was about eight yards deep.
SNAP
I drove at the corner's inside shoulder for three steps, then broke hard toward the back corner of the end zone. Cameron threw a perfect back-shoulder fade - high and outside where only I could get it.
I had to reach up and back, snatching the ball with my fingertips while fading away from the defender. Brought it down clean to my chest and dragged my right foot along the sideline before falling out of bounds.
THUD
Touchdown.
But what made the play special was Tyler's route next to me - he'd run his slot curl so perfectly that it held the safety just long enough to create the window for my catch.
Tyler was the first one to celebrate with me. "That's what I'm talking about! We make each other better!"
We kept going. Slant routes where I used my eyes to freeze the linebacker. Out routes where I had to come back to the ball and catch it away from my body. Even a reverse pivot on a comeback that had the safety spinning around confused.
Every route felt automatic. The Jerry Rice system was feeding me perfect technique, but it was more than that - I was starting to understand how to use every part of my body to create separation and make catches.
"This is beautiful football," Coach Martinez said during a break. "You two are creating problems that defenses can't solve."
He wasn't wrong. When Tyler ran precise routes underneath, it opened up big plays for me. When I stretched the field vertically, it created space for Tyler to work. We were making each other better instead of competing for the same opportunities.
After practice, I saw Coach Rivera pull Tyler aside by the coaches' office. I couldn't hear what they were saying, but Tyler's body language was tense - arms crossed, shaking his head a few times, then finally nodding slowly.
When they finished talking, Tyler walked over to where I was putting away my gear.
"Rivera wanted to make sure again I understood that this isn't about my production dropping," he said, his tone flat. "Says the team stats should improve overall."
"How you really feel about it though?"
Tyler sat down heavily on the bench next to me. "Honestly? I hate it. Like i said before I've been working my ass off for three years to be the featured guy. My college recruitment, my whole identity here - it's all built around being the top receiver."
He was quiet for a moment, staring at his cleats.
"But I also can't argue with what happened out there today. When we ran those concepts together, the defense couldn't handle it. And I've been here long enough to know what losing feels like."
Tyler looked at me directly. "Right now I want to win more than I want individual recognition. But that doesn't mean this is easy for me, and it doesn't mean I'm going to pretend to be excited about it."
"I get that. I'm not trying to make this harder for you."
"I know I know. And look, you can obviously play. Those catches today... that's not accident-level shit. But just know that I'm going to push you every single day. If we're doing this, if I'm sacrificing my numbers, then we better be fucking dominant."
The honesty was refreshing. Most people would have tried to act like everything was cool.
"I wouldn't expect anything less," I said.
Tyler stood up and grabbed his bag. "One more thing. Don't expect us to be best friends just because we're working together. This is business. We win games, we both benefit. We lose games, and this whole experiment falls apart."
"Fair enough."
As Tyler walked away, I realized this was actually better than fake enthusiasm. At least I knew where I stood with him. He was going to compete with me every single day, which would probably make both of us better.
But I also knew he was watching every rep, every catch, every route - looking for any sign that I couldn't handle the pressure or live up to the hype.
Good. I'd been dealing with pressure my whole life.
JERRY RICE 2003 SEASON - Progress bar jumped significantly
I grabbed my phone and saw messages waiting.
Text from Maya: Flying out tomorrow! Tayanna is so excited to meet her godfather. Well, she doesn't know yet, but she will be!
My heart jumped. Tomorrow I'd finally get to hold Tayshawn's daughter.
Me: Can't wait. How's she doing?
Maya: Perfect. She's been smiling more and sleeping better. I think she knows something special is about to happen
Me: I'm nervous as hell
Maya: You'll be great. You're going to love her so much
As I walked back to the dorm, I thought about everything that was happening. First team reps, a new offensive system that could make us championship contenders, and tomorrow I'd meet the little girl who represented everything I was working toward.
Tomorrow would be a big day. But tonight, I felt ready for whatever came next.