Mario Williams reveals how he has grown ahead of 2023 season

Mario Williams followed head coach Lincoln Riley from Oklahoma to USC ahead of the 2022 season. He made an immediate impact, snagging 40 catches for 631 yards and five touchdowns. Now, he’s looking to take the next step.

At USC’s spring game, Williams opened up about how he’s going to take that next step ahead of the 2023 season.

“My personality,” Mario Williams said. “I think my personality has grown and I became a better person. But, no, I think I have grown in just being consistent.”

Williams went on to explain that he means that he’s able to focus on football better and approach things with a better attitude this year than he has been able to in the past.

“Just making sure I come every day with a smile and not letting the outside stuff get to me.”

Williams went to Oklahoma as a four-star recruit in the Class of 2021, according to the On3 Industry Rankings. He was the third ranked wide receiver in the class and the 33rd ranked player overall.

However, as Mario Williams explained, he’s not the only one who has been working to improve this offseason. The entire USC offense has been taking steps forward.

“Shoot, I don’t even remember last spring,” Mario Williams said. “I think we have grown. Like I said, all of our personalities have grown, and we all make sure we come to practice with high energy, and ready to work so I think we’ll be ready.”

Lincoln Riley is happy with where USC is overall and doesn’t expect to take his foot off the gas.

“We did some things the other night and the past couple weeks that get you excited about where we’re headed. That’s kind of what you gear up for. It’s going to take our best on both sides throughout this closing stretching and this weekend. You gear up for it and you want to be that way, but it’s always the perfect climb or perfect [decline] – there’s a lot of ups and downs throughout it,” Riley said.

“I see mentality progressing, I see us finding some cool ways to win and obviously beating some good opponents with some more on deck. That’s the plan, that’s what we’re working toward and I think this team is pretty serious about it.”

Mario Williams on his personal goals

Mario Williams is excited to try to accomplish his own goals this next season. However, as he explained, contributing to team success is what’s most important to him.

“Really just being able to help my team in any way, shape, or form,” Williams said. “If that’s just making a play, helping on a split or something, just helping the guys and making sure we all eat.”