Williams emerges as go-to threat
Harold McIlvain II
Issue date: 9/19/08 Section: Sports
For Arkansas sophomore tight end D.J. Williams, the spike in production might be simply a gain in experience and an offensive philosophy change.
As a freshman, Williams earned first-team Southeastern Conference All-Freshman honors during a five catch, 94-yard season in which he was utilized more as a blocker than a receiving threat.
But that has changed with Arkansas head coach Bobby Petrino's new offense that has shown the strengths Williams is able to display as a downfield target.
UA offensive coordinator Paul Petrino said Williams was excited about the potential of the new offense and made a commitment to improving on his freshman year.
He showed signs of what was to come with his scrimmage performances, as he had a game-high nine receptions for 80 yards with a touchdown in the Red-White game. From there, he built on his performance and hasn't looked back.
After two games, the Little Rock native has 10 catches for 169 yards and two touchdowns. He is tied with fellow teammate Joe Adams for the fourth-most catches in the SEC, and Williams is tied for first in the conference with 84.5 receiving yards a game.
Williams said the new offense has suited the abilities he has against other opponents, trying to match him up against defenders so he can take advantage of his strengths.
"[Getting mismatches] is a huge thing coach Petrino has brought to this offense," Williams said. "It is always good to get on a linebacker, because maybe they are bigger and stronger. I can use my speed to get around them. If I'm matched up against a corner, who is a lot smaller, I can use my body to get into position to make a catch. I think they are doing a great job to create mismatches for long balls."
But the new offense isn't the only thing that has changed, as Williams said the experience he gained last year was invaluable.
"Every freshman knows that it is hard adjusting to a system, the speed of the game, studying the playbook and in the classroom," Williams said. "For the most part, experience is something that you hear about all the time, but you just don't understand until you go through it."
As a freshman, Williams earned first-team Southeastern Conference All-Freshman honors during a five catch, 94-yard season in which he was utilized more as a blocker than a receiving threat.
But that has changed with Arkansas head coach Bobby Petrino's new offense that has shown the strengths Williams is able to display as a downfield target.
UA offensive coordinator Paul Petrino said Williams was excited about the potential of the new offense and made a commitment to improving on his freshman year.
He showed signs of what was to come with his scrimmage performances, as he had a game-high nine receptions for 80 yards with a touchdown in the Red-White game. From there, he built on his performance and hasn't looked back.
After two games, the Little Rock native has 10 catches for 169 yards and two touchdowns. He is tied with fellow teammate Joe Adams for the fourth-most catches in the SEC, and Williams is tied for first in the conference with 84.5 receiving yards a game.
Williams said the new offense has suited the abilities he has against other opponents, trying to match him up against defenders so he can take advantage of his strengths.
"[Getting mismatches] is a huge thing coach Petrino has brought to this offense," Williams said. "It is always good to get on a linebacker, because maybe they are bigger and stronger. I can use my speed to get around them. If I'm matched up against a corner, who is a lot smaller, I can use my body to get into position to make a catch. I think they are doing a great job to create mismatches for long balls."
But the new offense isn't the only thing that has changed, as Williams said the experience he gained last year was invaluable.
"Every freshman knows that it is hard adjusting to a system, the speed of the game, studying the playbook and in the classroom," Williams said. "For the most part, experience is something that you hear about all the time, but you just don't understand until you go through it."
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