Attracting attention is no problem for Winston Williams, who did just that last fall at UC Davis. The junior tight end became another weapon for the Aggies after three years of doing little more than fill a uniform that rarely needed to be laundered. Williams kept it spotless by rarely leaving the sideline.
Williams put his “Petey the Panther” costume to far greater use during his days at Pioneer Middle School in Hanford than his shoulder pads and helmet in his first three seasons at UC Davis. No one at Pioneer had to twist Williams’ arm to get him to perform as the school’s mascot. He volunteered.
“I’m kind of an extroverted guy,” Williams said after one of of the 15 practices in the Aggies’ spring session. “When they asked for a mascot, I was the guy who liked to dance and the guy who liked music. It was a small school, so they looked for me to be that kid of guy. It definitely fit my role.”
His role at UC Davis changed drastically in 2024 after three years of serving on the scout offense in practice. Williams went from three receptions for 61 yards in 2023 to catching 34 passes for 265 yards and six touchdowns. The Immanuel High (Reedley) graduate surpassed senior Josh Gale as the top target at tight end. Gale went from 26 catches for 335 yards in 2023 to 16 for 208 last year.
Coaches in the Big Sky Conference took notice of Williams’ emergence and made him a first-team selection in the All-Big Sky voting. Williams was the third tight end since UC Davis went to Division I in 2007 to be a first-team selection, joining McCallan Castles (2021) and Dean Rogers (2008-10).
That distinction does not guarantee Williams any more than his fair share of playing time. Senior Ian Simpson and junior Mitchell Dixon will take their turns in various personnel packages by replacing Williams or joining him on the field. Head coach Tim Plough may even go with all three at one time.
Simpson matched Williams in touchdown catches last season even after missing the first seven games with injuries. In Simpson’s first two games. UC Davis beat Eastern Washington for the first time in 12 meetings and Montana for the second in 11. Simpson had a hand (or two) in both wins.
Miles Hastings’ 22-yard pass to Simpson ignited a 70-yard touchdown drive in the final 1:41 of the first half in a 48-38 win at Eastern Washington. UC Davis punted on its first four possessions and then scored on its last four in the first half, amassing 273 yards in 12½ minutes, to take a 28-9 lead.
Simpson’s 22-yard touchdown catch in the third quarter at Montana put the Aggies ahead to stay in a 30-14 victory. Williams caught a total of four passes for 37 yards in the two games, but he had no problem with taking a back seat to Simpson. With the tight ends, it is all for one and one for all.
“When one of us scores, it’s just as big for all of us,” Williams explained. “That’s why our tight end (meeting) room is so great. We’ve all been through the ringer (with injuries). (Dixon) is definitely a leader in our room. It doesn’t matter that he doesn’t get to play that much or get that many snaps.”
Dixon finally got an opportunity to contribute at tight end last year after after being injured in 2023. He has been a real trooper after being recruited as a quarterback from Rio Americano High and volunteering to switch to tight end when Hastings emerged as the clear-cut starter at quarterback.
Williams speaks from experience because he knows how difficult it is for Dixon or any other player to remain patient on the bench. Williams did that for three years before an opportunity came his way.
“Petey the Panther” must be proud of Williams for persevering when he was “hurt … banged up” and then making the most of his opportunity. “To finally get a chance to prove myself on the field,” Williams said, “and be an integral part of the team was big for me.”
