The one month mark until kickoff is rapidly approaching.
Our last entry in this season's Spotlight Series was Jordan Simone, the legend who started as a walk on and became a household name. With 36 days until football, we look at one of the more underrated players throughout Sun Devil history, "Fast" Freddie Williams.
Hailing from Dixie Hollins High School in St. Petersburg, FL, Freddie accepted a scholarship to play under head coach Frank Kush. After appearing in 11 games as a freshman in 1973 in a backup role to Woody Green (more on him later), Williams broke out as a sophomore in 1974 with 1,299 yards on a then-program record 249 carries, scoring 8 touchdowns on the ground.
He would also add 20 catches for 119 receiving yards, establishing himself as a solid pass catching running back. The Devils finished 7-5 on the season, but Freddie earned himself All-WAC honors, as well as Honorable Mention All-American honors from UPI and the Associated Press.
11/23/74 – #ASU trailed 21-0 at half, but Morris Owen's scored on a reverse w/45sec left, capping off a shocking 26-21 win over the Colorado State Rams in Tempe (45,235). RB Freddie Williams: 30-195-2. ASU rush: 56-245. CSU QB Driscoll: 18-31-325. WR Miller: 9-230-1. #ForksUp pic.twitter.com/1pEnyOIOXv
— Arizona Sports History (@AZSportsHistory) November 24, 2023
Firmly established as the starting back, Freddie ran to an incredible 1,427 yards (then-4th all time in Arizona State history), breaking his own record with 266 rushing attempts (later broken by Eno Benjamin with 300 carries in 2018). His 10.7 yards per reception (7 catches for 75 yards) helped lead the Sun Devils to the 1975 Fiesta Bowl championship and a program-best No. 2 ranking to end the season. For Freddie, the season ended with a second consecutive All-WAC selection and Honorable Mention All-American honors.
9/13/75 – Unranked #ASU began their undefeated 1975 season with a 35-12 win vs Washington. Although ASU opened up 14-0, they led only 14-12 heading into the 4Q. 5 ASU RB's rushed for TDs. Fast Freddie Williams had 26 carries for 152yds. ASU QBs: 8-14; 90yds; 0TD; 1 INT. #ForksUp pic.twitter.com/OSjpa8lFdw
— Arizona Sports History (@AZSportsHistory) September 13, 2023
Freddie wasn't finished yet, returning for his senior season in 1976. Unfortunately, an ankle injury limited his role throughout the season, but he still finished second on the team with 102 carries, leading the Devils with 523 rushing yards. Despite the injury, Freddie received an invitation to play in the 1976 All-America postseason all star game.
After graduating, Freddie was selected in the 8th round (221st overall) in the 1977 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys, spending the offseason as a member of the practice squad before signing with the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League. He rushed for 87 yards and 2 touchdowns in his debut against the Calgary Stampeders, but torn ligaments suffered in his next game against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers ended his professional career as it was just beginning.
In 2002, Freddie was inducted to the Arizona State University Hall of Fame. Williams still ranks second all-time in Sun Devil history in career rushing yards with 3,424 and career 100-yard rushing games with 17, both records held by his predecessor Woody Green.
Sadly, Freddie passed away in May of 2014, but his legacy lives on to this day. In recognition of his exemplary career, he is today's entry to our Spotlight Series.