How WWE superstar Trick Williams is helping South Carolina football as a recruiter
Two days after about 9,000 folks gathered inside Colonial Life Arena and serenaded the man of the hour with chants of “Whoop that Trick!” at WWE Smackdown, Trick Williams was still in Columbia bringing attention to his alma mater.
Former Gamecock receiver Matrick Belton — whose rose to WWE stardom under the name Trick Williams and won the U.S. championship at WrestleMainia 42 last month — was back at his old stomping grounds on Sunday, speaking to a large group of recruits.
As part of its “Cocky Palooza” recruiting event, which hosted over two dozen prospects to South Carolina’s football complex, head football coach Shane Beamer brought Williams to the stage, introducing him as “Gamecock football’s own, Trick Williams.”
“It was cool to hear from former players and the food and games were great, too,” three-star athlete Cole Pollock told The State. “My older brother is a huge WWE fan and I was excited to tell him that Trick Williams was there.”
Williams strode onto the stage with his U.S. Championship belt and struck around to take photos with recruits. A number of prospects — including 2029 Northwestern LB Dash Holley and 2028 North Carolina OL Brenton Miller, threw the belt over their shoulder as they posed with Williams.
“This was hands down the best visit I’ve ever been to in my life and the most well thought out,” three-star edge Tyson Williams told Gamecock247. “Between constant access to coaches, former players and meeting Trick Williams, I think it would be hard to beat anything like this.”
Williams’ story is well-known by now, and he’s been able to share it on various national interviews over the last few months. He played football at Keenan High School before starting his college career at FCS Hampton College in Virginia. After two seasons there, he decided to return to home and walked on at South Carolina.
Williams finished his career with the Gamecocks, where he caught 11 passes for 121 yards. He had a tryout with the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles before being cut. He also spent time as a coach at Airport High School before turning to wrestling and beginning the process of working his way up to where he is now.
Friday was the second time he wrestled in his hometown of Columbia. He came with NXT wrestling, WWE’s developmental organization, in December. But since then, his career has skyrocketed after he was called up to the WWE’s main roster in January.
Williams won the United States championship by beating Sami Zayn at WrestleMania last month in Las Vegas with his parents and family in attendance. He beat Zayn again at WWE’s Backlash event Saturday in Tampa. “It has been lightning in a bottle and everything that has come in fruition that you wanted it to,” Williams said of winning the title.
Williams has returned to USC football games a couple of times since he started his wrestling career. But coming home for “Smackdown” after his success was clearly special.
“The city has given me so much to be proud of, and I want to represent it in the right way,” Williams said Tuesday during an interview with 107.5 FM’s The Game.
This story was originally published May 18, 2026 at 8:00 AM with the headline "How WWE superstar Trick Williams is helping South Carolina football as a recruiter."
