| Derrick Williams |
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Special. That single word most accurately describes the persona and skills of Derrick Williams. The nation's top prep player as a senior and a difference-making recruit for Penn State, Williams has rapidly developed into a dynamic playmaker for the offense and special teams. The multi-talented and out-going Williams was focused on not missing a beat in his return to the field during the 2006 season after his true freshman campaign was cut short by a broken arm. Whether catching, throwing, or running with the ball, Williams will be all over the field making plays as he has done during his initial two seasons in Happy Valley. A candidate for the Biletnikoff Award and other post-season honors, Williams' versatility, intensity and leadership skills will be critical for the Nittany Lions in 2007. A quietly confident young man who rarely is without a smile, he is a fierce competitor and a primary reason why Penn State has won 20 games over the past two seasons. He has played an instrumental role as part of one of the most talented and productive group of receivers to ever don the blue and white. Last year, Williams joined classmates Deon Butler and Jordan Norwood to form the first trio of Nittany Lions to each make at least 40 receptions in a season. Playing in every game, with 12 starts, he made 40 receptions for 440 yards and one touchdown, averaged 4.0 yards on his 36 rushing attempts and was second in the Big Ten in punt returns, averaging 12.0 yards with one score. The confidence Williams exudes is contagious and has helped restore the swagger bred of championship football. In January 2005, he joined another prep All-American, Justin King, and Francis Claude, in enrolling at the University. Eight months later, in his first Big Ten road game, Williams hauled in a 36-yard game-winning TD with 51 seconds remaining at Northwestern to help get the Nittany Lions rolling toward the Big Ten Championship. His cool maturity and engaging personality prompted Joe Paterno to set aside a long-standing rule preventing freshmen from speaking to the media (Williams met the press prior to the season) and he quickly won the respect of teammates for his work ethic and "team-first" demeanor grounded in an affinity for the "old school." Blessed with tremendous speed, ability and instincts, Williams is a hard-working and driven student-athlete with his sights set on doing whatever he can to help Penn State capture another national championship. The former Eleanor Roosevelt HS All-American is one of 10 returning Nittany Lions who played prep football in metropolitan
Washington, D.C.
2006 Sophomore Season
Returning to the field after suffering a season-ending injury midway through the 2005 season, Williams again was a catalyst for the Penn State offense and special teams. A starter in 12 games, he was second on the team with 955 all-purpose yards, averaging 9.1 yards on his 105 touches. Williams made 40 receptions for 440 yards, giving Penn State a trio of players with 40 or more catches in a season for the first time. He had 36 carries for 145 yards (includes a sack when lined up at quarterback), 25 punt returns for a 12.0 average (second-best in the Big Ten), four kickoff returns for a 17.2 average and one pass attempt. Having narrowly missed breaking a lengthy punt return several times earlier in the season, Williams made a big play in the first quarter against Temple. He fielded a punt at the Penn State 25, reversed his field and burst 75 yards for the score, Penn State's first punt return TD since Bryant Johnson against Michigan State in 2002. Williams returned to action against Akron in the season-opener and picked right up where he was prior to suffering a broken arm in the 2005 Michigan game. He gained 116 all-purpose yards on 10 touches against the Zips. He caught three passes for 49 yards, including a 20-yard scoring strike from Anthony Morelli in the third quarter. He returned one kickoff 19 yards and three punts 44 yards, including a 28-yarder where he was just tripped up and likely would have scored. Williams had a career-high nine carries, posted 56 yards rushing with a touchdown, added one catch for 18 yards and two punt returns (one, a 56-yard return, was called back on a clipping penalty) in Penn State's 37-3 win over Youngstown State. Williams delivered a superb performance at Minnesota, gaining a career-best 95 yards on four receptions, rushing for 22 yards and returning two punts for 18 yards for a career-best 135 all-purpose yards. In the second quarter, he hauled in a 56-yard strike from Anthony Morelli for his longest career reception. Three of his four catches were good for first downs. In overtime, Williams took a handoff around left end at the Gophers' 13-yard line and looked like he would be tackled around the seven, but maintained his balance and fell forward to the two for a first down. Two plays later, Tony Hunt barreled through the line to tie the game at 27-27 before Kevin Kelly's game-winning PAT. Williams tied his career-high with six receptions for 67 yards in the 17-10 setback to Michigan. Williams also gained 38 yards on four punt returns against the Wolverines and totaled 110 all-purpose yards. In the Outback Bowl win over Tennessee, he made three catches and delivered a 20-yard punt return into Volunteer territory to set up a big Kevin Kelly field goal for a 20-10 lead late in the game. Williams saw action on 659 plays, led by 65 against Northwestern and 60 each at Notre Dame and at Purdue.
2005 Freshman Season
Williams made an immediate impact when he joined the Nittany Lions for the 2005 spring semester. While he was sidelined for Penn State's final five games (including the Orange Bowl) after breaking his left arm while returning a kickoff late in the game at Michigan, Williams' speed, athleticism and winning persona jump-started Penn State's drive to the Big Ten Championship and helped diversify what developed into a very potent offense. Named to The Sporting News Freshman All-Big Ten team, he had six plays of 20 yards or more and averaged 11.7 yards on his 57 touches. Williams lined up at wideout, flanker and in the backfield and demonstrated his ability to beat teams running and receiving. No play was bigger than his first career touchdown, a game-winning 36-yard catch and run with 51 seconds remaining at Northwestern that gave Penn State a 34-29 come-from-behind victory. The electrifying connection from Michael Robinson was one of five finalists for the "Pontiac Game-Changing Play-of-the-Year." He also returned three kickoffs for 78 yards, highlighted by a 33-yard return in the first quarter, and had 42 yards on two catches against the Wildcats. At the time of his injury, he was the Lions' leading receiver with 22 catches for 289 yards and one touchdown. He also had 22 carries for 105 yards and three touchdowns and returned 13 kickoffs for a 21.1-yard average. Despite missing the last five contests, he accumulated 668 all-purpose yards to rank fourth on the squad. A starter in the initial seven games, Williams ran for Penn State's first two touchdowns (improvising on a 13-yard TD on an option pitch and scoring on a five-yard reverse) in the 44-14 win over Minnesota. He electrified the prime time Beaver Stadium throng when he turned the corner and bolted 13 yards for Penn State's first score in the huge 17-10 win over Ohio State. He made a season-high six receptions for 59 yards, returned two kickoffs for 22 yards and ran for eight yards before his injury at Michigan. Against Cincinnati, he pulled in four catches for a team-leading 60 yards (including a 41-yard grab), gained 23 yards on three carries with a 20-yard long run and returned three kickoffs for 61 yards, including a 26-yarder. Against Central Michigan, he caught two passes for 47 yards, including a 33-yarder, and returned two kickoffs for 62 yards, including a season-best return of 56 yards. Williams was on the field for 387 snaps over the initial seven games, led by 69 at Northwestern.
High School
Williams fashioned a tremendous career for Coach Rick Houchens at Eleanor Roosevelt HS in suburban Washington, D.C. He was a consensus All-American and was named the Rivals.com and G&W Recruiting Report National Player-of-the-Year. An All-USA Today selection, Williams also was an All-Met choice by the Washington Post. Parade Magazine honored him as an All-American all-purpose player. During his senior season of 2004, Williams was 56-of-91 for 972 yards and 13 touchdown passes, ran for 1,123 yards and 12 touchdowns and caught 11 passes for 203 yards and two more scores. He also accumulated 479 punt return yards and added another score. As a defensive back, he had four interceptions and 34 tackles. In his junior year, he rushed for 1,350 yards and 28 touchdowns and threw for 700 yards and five scores. Williams also recorded 46 tackles, 13 pass breakups, three interceptions and three fumble recoveries in 2003. He also gained 760 return yards. In 2004, Williams was the subject of a series of stories in the Washington Post on his senior season and recruitment. Williams also was an accomplished sprinter on the track and field squad.
Personal
Full name is Derrick Dwanye Williams. He is the son of Dwight and Brinda Williams. He has an older brother, Domonique, who played running back and quarterback at North Carolina and finished his career at North Carolina A&T. Williams is enrolled in the recreation, park and tourism management program. Born July 6, 1986 in Washington, D.C.
