New Mexico State picks up WR commit

Former Odessa (Texas) Permian wide receiverLavorick Williams had thought this fall would be spent preparing for the track season as a freshman at Texas Tech. But things didn't work out that way and now the Texas Tech track team's loss is the New Mexico State football team's gain.

After accepting a scholarship offer to run track at Texas Tech, Williams failed to clear the NCAA Clearinghouse to become eligible to make it on campus. He has spent the fall taking classes at a local community college and now has switched schools and sports, committing to play football for New Mexico State.

"I just took an official visit, I can't remember who they played but I liked it," Williams said of his New Mexico State trip. "I committed the next week. I just like the surroundings. I like how it's off by itself. I like the coaches and the atmosphere there."

New Mexico State won Williams' commitment over the efforts of schools such as Minnesota, Bowling Green, Temple, UTEP and Tulane.

"I was supposed to go to Minnesota for an official visit but I changed my mind," he said. "I just said it was too cold up there. I wanted to go somewhere that was a little warmer."

In track, Williams' personal bests include a 10.4 in the 100 meters, a 21.31 in the 200 meters and claims to have a 4.28 40 time on a track surface. However the reason for the change in sports was very simple.

"I just always liked football better than track," he said.

New Mexico State also offers a situation that any receiver would be interested in and the success of a freshman at Texas Tech actually helped lure him away from the Red Raiders.

"They said it's the offense that I need to be in because they throw the ball on every down," Williams said of the Aggie coaches. "I liked it because I see what (Texas Tech freshman) Michael Crabtree is doing this year. They said I'm going to be playing the same type of position he plays."

Williams hopes to enroll at New Mexico State in January.