BYU RB Ty’Son Williams Wears No. 5 Because Of USC Legend Reggie Bush

PROVO, Utah – BYU running back Ty’Son Williams in just two games for the Cougars has established himself as the workhorse of BYU’s ground attack.

Last week at Tennessee, Williams scored two touchdowns, including the game-winning score on the road in SEC Country against the Tennessee Volunteers.

The man of the night, Ty’Son Williams.#BYU #BYUvsTENN #KSLsports pic.twitter.com/CNkMCDwm87

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 8, 2019

Now with Tennessee in the rearview mirror, all focus goes to USC. Not USC of the east, the school he was once at, the South Carolina Gamecocks. But rather the USC Trojans. A program that Williams watched a lot growing up as they featured one of his favorite players, Reggie Bush.

In fact, Williams’ number five that he wears on his BYU jersey is because of Bush.

“I think it happened in eighth grade. That’s when I made the switch. Up until that point I was wearing 27 or 21. But that point I was like, I wanna wear five. From eighth grade, until I graduated high school, I wore five. Then in college, I was 9 then 27. I wanted to get back to 5 because that was something I was passionate about and if I had an option that’s what I would have stuck with and wore my whole career,” said Williams.

Williams loved Reggie Bush, but this week going up against Bush’s alma mater, there’s only one focus and that’s to come away with another victory.

“Growing up you always knew about USC, they’ve always had a historic program and great players,” Williams said. “I kind of known about USC always, but this time going up against them and competing against them, we trying to win.”

For BYU to come away with a win against the No. 24 ranked Trojans, Williams should be a guy that will need to have a big game in order for the Cougars to pull off the upset.

Last week, Williams had 20 touches (17 carries, three receptions) the most touches he’s ever had in a game in his college football career.

“Whatever the team asks of me, I’m ready to do. Whether that’s 10, 20, 25 (carries) or whatever the number is, honestly, I just care about winning and doing whatever it takes to help my team win,” said Williams.

If BYU comes away with a victory against the nationally-ranked Trojans, young kids will probably start saying they want to wear number five because of Ty’Son Williams. It’s the big games where stars rise to the occasion and Williams looks poised to make an impact on Saturday afternoon in LaVell Edwards Stadium.

Ty’Son’s Jersey Malfunction

For those who were keeping track at home, you noticed that Williams at the end of Saturday’s victory against Tennessee had a jersey on that didn’t have his name on the back.

The reason? The jersey ripped in the first half after a Tennessee defender pulled his jersey trying to take him down. BYU’s equipment staff led by Mick Hill then gave Williams a backup jersey featuring No. 5, but no name was on the back.

Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for sports.ksl.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12-3 pm) on KSL Newsradio. Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper.