ShareThisHe set several conference records as a freshman.
He became an All-American wide receiver that turned cornerbacks into minced meat.
After proving his dominance at the collegiate level, he was destined for a long and luxurious pro career.
Then Southern Cal's Mike Williams did something foolish, and he never recovered from it.
When news broke this week of Michael Crabtree's possibly sitting out this NFL season, Williams' plight came to mind.
Williams wasn't college football's best receiver in 2003 -- Larry Fitzgerald gets that nod -- but he wasn't far behind.
As a sophomore, he caught 95 passes for 1,314 yards and 16 touchdowns.
The Trojans won a national title. Life was good.
It got even better when Williams thought he could jump to the NFL.
A federal judge ruled the league couldn't keep Maurice Clarett out of the 2004 draft. Clarett was only two years removed from high school at the time.
So Williams decided to make a move too, hiring an agent and declaring his pro intentions.
Unfortunately for Williams, the case was overturned on appeal. The USC wideout wasn't eligible for the draft, nor could he go back to school.
After an entire year off, the Detroit Lions selected Williams in the 2005 draft.
He came in overweight and turned into one of several wasted picks by the Lions.
In three seasons with three NFL teams, Williams caught 44 passes and two touchdowns. He has been out of the league since the Titans released him after the 2007 season.
If this doesn't scare Crabtree into signing with the Niners tomorrow, I'm not sure what will.
Crabtree's stock isn't going to rise if he holds out the entire season, a risky move his cousin/adviser suggested to ESPN.
The Texas Tech receiver wants to be paid comparable to what No. 7 pick Darrius Heyward-Bey is getting from Oakland.
Crabtree is better than Heyward-Bey, no doubt. But the Raiders, who always have a crush on speed, didn't think so.
The Niners have all the leverage here, so why should they give in?
Like most lengthy holdouts, this one will probably be resolved right before the season.
For Crabtree's sake, let's hope so. Remember, he hasn't played in a game since undergoing surgery on his left foot.
Williams and Crabtree had comparable college careers.
They were both picked No. 10 in an NFL draft.
And if Crabtree sits out the 2009 season, they will both have sat idle the year before their rookie season.
It turned out disastrous the first time around. History doesn't need to repeat itself.
(Zach Duncan writes for the Wichita Falls Times Record News.)
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