"They didn't throw much and I was sitting there thinking, 'Maybe this isn't the place for me,' " he recalled.
The Trojans erupted for 29 points in the second half, quarterback John David Booty passing for four touchdowns. Williams said: "I knew, at that point, I needed to be there."
The change was not easy. Los Angeles represented culture shock -- "I'd never seen real traffic jams other than accidents" -- and the only person he knew on the team, tailback Emmanuel Moody, ended up transferring to Florida.
There was also the frustration of sitting out.
"That year was a little strange," David Williams said. "He learned a lot."
But when Mustain called to talk about the possibility of switching to USC, his childhood friend sounded happy. And when the quarterback came to visit, Williams had obviously adjusted to new surroundings.
"He knew everybody on campus, it seemed," Mustain said. "He's able to talk to anyone."
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The numbers are not immediately impressive.
At 6 feet 1, 190 pounds, Williams does not possess the size of Mike Williams or even current receiver Patrick Turner. His speed is average. But Malzahn talks about his knack for fighting off defensive backs.
"You throw the ball and he'll find a way to come down with it," Malzahn said. "He's got tremendous instincts."
USC coaches say they have seen evidence of this quality, Williams following an impressive spring with an equally solid training camp.
During a recent afternoon practice, he caught a pass at the back of the end zone, was flattened by safety Taylor Mays and held onto the ball. During the team's most recent scrimmage, he grabbed several short passes over the middle.
Williams knows what to do from all three receiver positions. As Mustain said: "He's intelligent, which I think really helps him. He's able to see things and make things happen."
The coaches don't really care who emerges from a pack that includes Williams, Turner, Vidal Hazelton, Ronald Johnson, Travon Patterson and others. They just want someone to step up.
Offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian said the team will make an effort to help the receivers this season, going back to them even if they drop balls, trying to build their confidence.
Williams clearly wants to be a go-to guy, but he also talks about how much his teammates have improved from last season. He doesn't want to sound boastful.
"I'm having fun," he said. "This is a great atmosphere out here."
For now, that's enough to keep him smiling.
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david.wharton@latimes.com
