Friday, Dec. 18, 2015 | 8:24 p.m.
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When UNLV football coach Tony Sanchez offered Fresno-area running back Charles Williams a scholarship, the 5-foot-11, 195-pound class of 2016 prospect from Bullard High was initially surprised.
Sanchez is well-known in high school football circles, building Bishop Gorman into a national brand before taking the UNLV job last December. His move was heavily documented by national media, giving Sanchez a leg up in recruiting. As Williams says, he has instant credibility.
“I was shocked he knew who I was,” Williams said. “He saw me in the little pond (of Fresno) and is bringing me to the big pond of Las Vegas.”
Williams verbally committed to Sanchez today, picking the Rebels over offers from Washington State, Eastern Washington, UTEP, Wyoming and Idaho.
A three-star recruit by Rivals.com, Williams rushed for 2,039 yards last fall with 23 touchdowns. As a junior, he rushed for 1,438 yards and 20 touchdowns, and won the 200 (21.55) and took second 100 (10.80) at the sectional track meet.
It’s another significant commitment for Sanchez, who signed nine junior college transfers earlier this week and has nearly double-digit high school players committed.
Despite finishing with a 3-9 record last fall in his inaugural season, Sanchez’s message about rebuilding the UNLV program is still sticking with recruits. He’s remaking the roster one recruit at a time.
“It’s a rebuilding process. We are going to attack it as a family,” Williams said. “We are going to do some big things and make some noise in Las Vegas.”
Williams also lined up at defensive back at Bullard and is open to playing defensively at UNLV. But it’s running back where he excels.
“People say I’m a power back and a speed back,” he said. “I can run through you, I can run past you and I can make a move that makes you look silly.”
Ray Brewer can be reached at 702-990-2662 or [email protected]. Follow Ray on Twitter at twitter.com/raybrewer21
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