Merced QB Williams signs with Azusa Pacific University

Tyrone Williams didn’t want to go to school on National Signing Day earlier this month. The only reason the Merced High senior quarterback did go was to support his friend and teammate Jabar Byrd, who was signing with Humboldt State.

“I didn’t feel like answering all the questions that day,” Williams said. “’Why aren’t you signing? Where are you going?’ But I wanted to be there for Jabar.”

Williams can now answer those questions after signing a national letter of intent to accept a football scholarship at Azusa Pacific University. Williams had his own signing ceremony on campus Friday with family, coaches, friends and teammates.

“That last week of January and first week of February, I was starting to think I would have to go play at a junior college or maybe take a different path,” Williams said. “Then this came along. Everything just lined up for me to go to Azusa Pacific. It’s almost like it’s meant for me to be there.”

Williams was named the Central California Conference’s Best Offensive Player and a Sun-Star All-Area selection after leading the Bears to a second consecutive conference championship. He passed for 2,421 yards and 31 touchdowns last fall.

Williams orchestrated an offense that averaged more than 44 points per game, which is the most during Rob Scheidt’s 19-year tenure as Merced’s coach.

“I know it was tough on him,” Scheidt said. “Especially when he has his head coach telling him he’s the best guy who has ever played the position for him and nothing is panning out. I’m sure he got frustrated, but I really believe in Tyrone Williams and what he can do. I think Azusa Pacific got a great deal in him.”

Williams took his official visit to Azusa Pacific last weekend and quickly felt like he was at the right place. He liked the campus, the coaches and the players.

“I liked everything,” he said. “The coaches helped me feel at home. I got to stay in the dorms and those were great. I stayed with one of the players and he let me sleep in his bed and he slept on the floor. They just made me feel at home.”

This story was originally published February 20, 2015 at 2:34 PM with the headline "Merced QB Williams signs with Azusa Pacific University."