Temple freshman Zaire Williams ready for whatever comes

Zaire Williams' answer to the question was not what one might expect.

A freshman running back who was rated the 36th-best back in the country by Rivals.com as a senior at Timber Creek High School in Sicklerville, Camden County, Williams was asked earlier this week about the challenge and anticipation that await him and his teammates on Saturday when the Owls begin the season in a nationally televised game at Notre Dame.

"Really, it's not that exciting," said Williams, part of a rich haul of New Jersey recruits in the Owls' freshman class. "Of course, it's a bigger stage and the fan base is huge. But coach [Matt] Rhule has been telling us you have to prepare and stay focused on playing. So that's really how I'm approaching it."

Williams, 5-foot-11 and 195 pounds, did not know what his role would be on the team when the Owls opened training camp earlier this month. But what he did know was that with the departure of running backs Montel Harris and Matt Brown, the Owls were in the unfamiliar position of needing help at the position.

Williams did not earn the starting job - that went to junior Kenny Harper - but Rhule was looking for another back to complement Harper and Williams has emerged as that guy.

"He's played very well," Rhule said. "He's been physical; he's a confident back, a mature back. I think he's going to have a great career here if he works on the things he needs to work on. He wants to get better. So I really have high hopes for what he'll be in the next couple of years. He's definitely going to see the field."

That Williams is even playing for the Owls is surprising.

After rushing for 1,621 yards and 28 touchdowns as a junior at Cherokee High School, Williams, who gained a school-record 385 yards and scored six touchdowns in a 57-56 victory over Cherry Hill East, transferred to Timber Creek High School in February 2012.

Despite sharing the rushing duties, Williams still gained 1,034 yards and scored 13 touchdowns.

Williams eventually gave an oral commitment to West Virginia, choosing the Mountaineers over Temple, Pittsburgh, Purdue, Wisconsin, Connecticut, Iowa, Old Dominion and a few others.

However, Williams changed his mind and he ultimately signed with the Owls.

"I liked the vibe from Coach Rhule; he seemed very honest," Williams said. "That and I thought that Temple offered me a great opportunity to get a great education. When I'm finished playing football, my degree will carry weight wherever I go."

In the meantime, Temple is looking forward to having him carry the ball for the next few years.

"He's going to have a good career," Rhule said. "He has shown us some very good things in a short amount of time."