Husky Legend: Kasen Williams
Tanner Kay
11/28/2019
Kasen Williams always dreamed of carrying on the family legacy. His father, Aaron Williams, had played at UW, and Kasen wanted that legacy to live on. So, when he was offered the chance to play football for the University of Washington, he jumped on it.
At UW, there were many years of legacy. My dad was a receiver there and wore number two. I wanted to carry on that legacy. But, I also just wanted to represent Washington the right way. I’ve always been proud of where I’m from and I wanted the world to know that. I wanted Washington to know that. That’s why I stayed home.Kasen Williams
After finishing his prolific high school career at Skyline, Williams arrived at UW in 2011. As a true freshman Williams appeared in all 13 games for the Huskies and started in three of them. Williams recorded 36 receptions for 427 yards and six touchdowns as UW won seven games and appeared in the Alamo Bowl against Baylor.
In his sophomore season Williams excelled, tallying 77 receptions and another six touchdowns to go along with 878 yards receiving while starting in every game for UW. As a team the Huskies again won seven games, but also had two wins over top-10 teams that really stood out to Williams.
“That win against Stanford in 2012 at Century Link was great. They were ranked eighth and that upset was really big,” Williams recalled. “And the Oregon State upset when they were ranked number seven. That was really awesome too.”
But, even with those memorable upsets, the Boeing Apple Cup Series was always the game that meant the most to Williams.
“Every year that was the circled game. The Apple Cup was the one that really meant something, and those games really made or broke the season,” Williams said. “I’m proud to say that I’m 3-1 against WSU. A lot of great moments. Legends are made in the Apple Cup.”
As a junior, Williams started the season strong with 29 receptions for 421 yards in eight games. Unfortunately, Williams suffered a serious lower leg injury that kept him out for the rest of the season.
Williams was held out of the start of his senior season as he continued to work back from his injury but was able to come back and contribute to the team down the stretch. Williams ended up appearing in nine games as a senior and recorded 20 receptions to go along with two touchdowns.
Williams was also adjusting to a new coaching staff as Chris Petersen had just arrived. The time Williams spent learning from Petersen left Williams very impressed.
I wish I had more time with them. I only had them for a year. Once everybody saw what Coach [Petersen] was capable of, they really bought in and took off after that. I’m really proud of the direction of the program and I can’t wait to see what happens in the future.Kasen Williams
By the time Williams finished at UW, he had written his name all over the Husky record books. Among those many accomplishments Williams ranks fourth all-time in receptions in a single season at UW with 77, and fifth in career receptions with 162. Williams also ranks 11th in career touchdown receptions for the Huskies with 15.
But, the University of Washington was about more than just football to Williams. The family legacy he was able to carry on, as well as the relationships he built, meant just as much as his success on the field.
“I grew a lot at UW. Both on the field and off the field. I made special relationships, I became part of a bigger family, and I was just appreciative of all the opportunities that were given to me,” Williams recalled. “Looking back, I’m glad how I got to grow with those opportunities.”
Looking back now, some of the memories that mean the most to Williams are the time he got to spend with his friends and teammates.
“Really I think about the locker room. We used to have big dance battles, we used to throw on the WWE music and have fake wrestling matches,” Williams laughed. “We had a lot of fun in that locker room.”
After his senior season Williams moved on to the NFL. Williams spent five seasons in the NFL including three with the Seattle Seahawks, but now Williams is preparing for a new chapter in his football career.
“I’m going to be going into the XFL in 2020,” Williams, who will be a member of the Seattle Dragons, explained. “I was with the Seahawks for basically three years. I went to Cleveland for a year and I went to Indianapolis for an offseason. But, as a free agent I was really proud of my accomplishments and the fact that I was able to do that.”
Williams will now add another accomplishment as he is honored as a Husky Legend. When Williams received the news that he was going to be recognized as a Husky Legend he was incredibly honored.
“It was one of the best days I’ve had in a while. It was well needed. My football career was at a standstill and I was in a reflective state and I wasn’t really proud of my accomplishments,” Williams said. “But, for UW to see me as a legend and to see me as a high enough legend to put me in the Apple Cup was really big. It was really special to me and I hold that close to my heart.”
Now, as Kasen Williams takes the field with his family and hears the roar of a grateful crowd, he will get to look back on his legacy as a Husky. He will think back to his father wearing the Purple and Gold, he will look back on his own impressive accomplishments, and he will know that the Williams’ legacy will live on in the hearts of Husky fans.