UNLV freshman wide receiver Kyle Williams quickly became a leader of the UNLV offense.
It likely started with a 25-yard reception against Fresno State in the second game of the season. Or maybe it was his elusiveness in making play after play.
Regardless, the Hawthorne, Calif., native certainly made an impact. That impact was recognized today by the Mountain West, who named the 6-foot, 175-pound Williams its Freshman of the Year.
Williams finished with 35 receptions for 426 yards and two touchdowns in the shortened season of six games, giving the program one piece of the puzzle in its rebuild.
UNLV didn’t win a game in the pandemic-impacted year, but there were a few positives, including the emergence of Williams. He capped the season with 10 catches for 144 yards and a touchdown against Hawaii.