He’d never touched a football until high school. Now, he’s punting for West Forsyth and gunning for receptions as a senior. Meet Max Williamson, the multi-sport athlete rewriting his own script—one kick, catch, and sprint at a time.
A Late Start, an Early Stumble, and the Nudge That Changed Everything
Back in ninth grade, Max Williamson stood on the football field feeling like he’d walked into the wrong story.
Everyone else knew the plays, the drills, the language. Max was still figuring out how to put on pads. He hadn’t grown up with Friday nights under stadium lights. He was a soccer kid—fast feet, nimble balance, sharp instincts—but football? That was foreign territory.
“Scary,” he said bluntly. “Most of them had been playing forever. I felt way behind.”
That feeling nearly pushed him out. Freshman year ended in confusion, not celebration. He tried cornerback but couldn’t get comfortable. By sophomore year, he was ready to quit.
But then came track season. And Coach Chuck Lott.
From Soccer Cleats to Special Teams
Lott, who coached hurdles and had once overseen West Forsyth’s kickers, spotted something others hadn’t.
He knew Max played soccer. He knew the leg strength was there. So he asked a question that changed everything.
“Can you kick?”
Max wasn’t sure. But he gave it a shot.
That tryout didn’t just revive his interest in football—it lit the fuse. By junior year, Max was punting in live games. Not just filling a role, but becoming a reliable piece of West Forsyth’s special teams unit. Quietly, he was carving out a place where few had expected him to land.
One sentence tells the whole story:
He went from almost quitting to punting under the lights.
Bloodlines, Motivation, and a Bit of Sibling Rivalry
There’s family history baked into Max’s story. His older brother, Dylan, graduated from West Forsyth in 2024. His younger sister, Gigi, is a junior now.
It was Dylan’s football journey that inspired Max to even consider the sport.
“Everybody was talking about it,” Max said. “It just seemed fun.”
That kind of peer pressure doesn’t always end well. But for Max, it worked.
And now, he’s making it his own.
Now a Punter—But Also a Receiver?
This year, Max isn’t just sticking to special teams. He’s expanding his role again—this time, to wide receiver.
It’s a big leap. Punters usually live in their own rhythm, their own zone. Receivers have to read defenses, run crisp routes, and take hits from angry linebackers.
But Max wants to do both.
And the coaching staff is letting him try.
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Junior year stats: 37 punts, 34.2-yard average
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Summer workouts: 4.5-second 40-yard dash, soft hands in drills
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Fall plan: Split reps between punting and second-team receiver duties
This isn’t some stunt. The kid’s earned it.
A Look at His Athletic Timeline
Let’s lay it out clearly. Max Williamson isn’t just dabbling in sports. He’s stacked them, season after season.
| Year | Sport | Position/Role |
|---|---|---|
| Freshman | Football | Defensive Back (briefly) |
| Freshman | Track | Hurdles |
| Sophomore | Football | Starting Punter |
| Junior | Football | Punter, WR Practice Squad |
| Junior | Track | Hurdles, Sprints |
| Senior (upcoming) | Football | Punter + Wide Receiver |
His range isn’t just physical—it’s mental. Learning playbooks, adapting to coaches, reading lanes on both the field and the track. Not everyone can handle that. But Max thrives in that kind of chaos.
Off the Field? Just a Normal Teen
Even with all the practices and games, Max isn’t some sports-only robot.
He’s got AP classes. A part-time job last summer. And he still finds time to be the older brother Gigi can count on.
“He’s kind of quiet, but really funny when you get to know him,” said a teammate.
There’s no ego in how he plays. No grandstanding. Just steady work.
That’s why coaches trust him.
The Underdog Script Everyone’s Rooting For
There’s something about late bloomers that pulls people in.
Maybe it’s the humility. Or the slow burn of confidence that builds year over year. With Max, it’s both.
He didn’t come into high school with scholarship buzz. No star rating. No private QB coach or offseason hype reel.
And yet, four years later, he’s in the starting lineup—twice over.
This fall, Max Williamson might not lead the team in touchdowns. But his punts will flip field position. His hands might move the chains. And his presence? That’ll be felt all over the locker room.
