This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Logan • Cam Webb didn't know whether or not he would play another football game.
Small wide receivers — Webb is 5-foot-9 — that aren't fleet of foot don't usually garner much attention from recruiters. Webb was no different. He had no offers coming out of Snow College in 2009. His future in peril, he took a year off from athletics in order to decide what was next.
And that's where his story took off.
Webb, now a senior at Utah State, scored his first career touchdown in Saturday's 48-17 win over Texas San-Antonio. He arrived in Logan as a walk-on. He's currently on scholarship. Before the season began, he was third on the depth chart. Now, he's an integral part of Utah State's receiver rotation.
"Bottom line, Cam is a great story," Aggie coach Gary Andersen said. "He's someone who has worked extremely hard to get to where he is. He's a tremendous success story, to be from Cache Valley. He's created his own opportunity, and he's made the most of it."
Andersen allowed Webb to walk on sight unseen in 2010, figuring his enthusiasm to be an Aggie and his local status would add intrigue to his growing program. As a junior, Webb saw action in seven games, exclusively on special teams, and didn't make a catch.
What not many outside of the program knew was that Webb saw an opportunity to carve out a role for himself. Utah State was in desperate need of a slot receiver. Kerwynn Williams held the position for a long time, but he became the starting running back. Eric Moats and Stanley Morrison both graduated. The staff loved JoJo Natson, but he was just a freshman.
"It was just a matter of me working hard and competing for a spot," Webb said. "There was an opportunity there."
Webb improved his speed. He got stronger, and his route-running improved. He became one of the standouts of fall camp, and was awarded a scholarship two weeks before the season began.
He's made Andersen's belief in him pay off. Webb has 19 receptions for 207 yards this season. More importantly, he's Utah State's primary punt returner, bringing stability to a position that's historically been a big problem for the Aggies.
He made five catches against Texas-San Antonio, a career-high. His ascension from afterthought to starter has been shared by USU coaches with other players to highlight what hard work can do.
"This is nice," Webb said. "I've been waiting a long time for this. All I've wanted was the chance to contribute, so this really feels pretty good."
Twitter: @tonyaggieville —
Cam Webb file
• Was an all-state performer at Mountain Crest High
• Played for Snow College
• Has four brothers and one sister —
Texas State at Utah State
P Saturday, 1 p.m.
TV • KMYU