Winton Woods players warm up for practice (Spectrum News 1/Katie Kapusta)
“We just felt like he ran really hard,” Ohio State head coach Ryan Day said. “Like you said, maybe not as highly recruited but we just felt like we saw something in a kid from Cincinnati who ran hard. Winton Woods, they have a great winning tradition, they’re a great program, they produce really good football players. And being from Ohio means a lot.”
But there is still a Williams here on the turf — Qierstin or Q as everyone calls him — is Miyan’s younger brother, a defensive star for the reigning state champs.
Qierstin Williams performs drills during a Winton Woods football practice (Spectrum News 1/Katie Kapusta)
“I used to work out with him in the off-season, go out with him and do find drills, lift and stuff like that,” Qierstin Williams said. “He just showed me you can do anything you put your mind to, you just got to reach for it.”
He says watching his older brother score not one, not two, but five touchdowns against Rutgers was inspiring.
“He always been that type of guy, just getting a lot of touchdowns,” Qierstin said. “He run hard and he just played the game with his heart. Him going for that almost record-breaking record with the touchdowns, I was real excited for him, I was happy for him because that’s something he’s always been doing. “
Miyan says he didn’t even know that he tied a school record until after his fifth touchdown.
Miyan Williams smiles after scoring a touchdown (Spectrum News 1/Brandon Coello)
“They didn’t tell me until like after, like after I scored the last one, that’s when I found out,” Miyan said.
Now, Qierstin is working hard with his team to continue their undefeated season and win back-to-back state championships — something his brother was able to watch in person last year.
Qierstin Williams makes a play at practice (Spectrum News 1/Katie Kapusta)
“Just having my own brother coming to support me, even my own family coming to support me in a big moment like that,” Qierstin said. “It was my first time being on that big of a stage, it just meant a lot.”
Qierstin hasn’t quite decided where he wants to play next year but is being recruited by several schools. He hopes to get a scholarship offer from Ohio State and be able to play with his brother for his senior year.
