RECRUITING: Durango RB Williams commits to Utah

Marcus Williams is blessed with size and speed, but Durango’s rising senior running back matches those gifts with a strong work ethic.

He’ll be taking those qualities to Utah’s football program in the future.

Williams made an oral commitment to the Utes on Saturday, choosing Utah over scholarship offers from Idaho, New Mexico and New Mexico State.

He said “staying in the West, the education, and how good the football program is” were factors in making a decision before his senior year.

The 6-foot, 205-pound Williams can be bruising between the tackles, but has also been clocked in the 40-yard dash in 4.43 seconds, according to Rivals.com.

Williams became eligible late last season after transferring from Bishop Gorman, but he put his talents on display for the Trailblazers by rushing for 244 yards and two touchdowns on 27 carries in a 48-35 home win over Sierra Vista.

“He’s a hard worker and has all sorts of athletic ability,” new Durango coach Matt Gerber said. “He has great speed for his size. His explosiveness is what separates him a little bit.”

Williams, though, isn’t taking anything for granted about his upcoming senior season.

“I want to work on being more fluid with my cuts, being quicker and being more vocal,” he said.