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The Daily OrangeFB | Jones to return for senior year; Williams re-enrolls
By Matt Gelb and Tyler Dunne
Posted: 1/13/09, 2:37 AM EST Section: Sports
Two years ago as a sophomore, Williams was arguably Syracuse's best player. The wideout caught 10 touchdowns and tied a single-season school record with 60 receptions. In both 2006 and 2007, Williams led Syracuse in receiving yards with 461 and 837, respectively. His 837 yards ranked sixth-best among Big East receivers and earned the 6-foot-2 wideout a spot on the All-Big East second team. He has currently caught a touchdown pass in nine consecutive games, a Syracuse record.
Without Williams and graduated starting wide receiver Taj Smith, Syracuse's passing game sputtered in 2008. Smith participated in the Green Bay Packers' training camp, was cut, and is now on the Indianapolis Colts' practice squad. Without the tandem, Syracuse (3-9) saw its passing game plunge to 113th of 119 schools in Division I from No. 55 in 2007.
A jumble of receivers filled the vacant spots with no receiver on the Orange's roster recording at least 30 catches this past season. Lavar Lobdell began the season as the team's No. 1 receiver, but never developed into a threat with only 13 receptions for 165 yards and no touchdowns. Donte Davis finished with a team-high 29 catches for 312 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winner at Notre Dame in SU's 24-23 upset win.
The 2008 season counts as a redshirt season for Williams since he played as a true freshman and as a sophomore. He'll be a junior for 2009. It was a tumultuous summer and fall of uncertainty for Williams, but it appears he will be back on the field in Doug Marrone's first year as SU's head coach.
Williams will almost certainly be a key cog in new coordinator Rob Spence's offense. In Spence's three full seasons as Clemson's offensive coordinator, the Tigers finished in the top four of the 12-team Atlantic Coast Conference in rushing, passing and total offense, despite fielding a different starting quarterback each year. In 2007, Spence's last full season with Clemson, wide receiver Aaron Kelly had 1,081 yards on 88 catches with 11 touchdowns.
magelb@syr.edu
thdunne@syr.edu
Without Williams and graduated starting wide receiver Taj Smith, Syracuse's passing game sputtered in 2008. Smith participated in the Green Bay Packers' training camp, was cut, and is now on the Indianapolis Colts' practice squad. Without the tandem, Syracuse (3-9) saw its passing game plunge to 113th of 119 schools in Division I from No. 55 in 2007.
A jumble of receivers filled the vacant spots with no receiver on the Orange's roster recording at least 30 catches this past season. Lavar Lobdell began the season as the team's No. 1 receiver, but never developed into a threat with only 13 receptions for 165 yards and no touchdowns. Donte Davis finished with a team-high 29 catches for 312 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winner at Notre Dame in SU's 24-23 upset win.
The 2008 season counts as a redshirt season for Williams since he played as a true freshman and as a sophomore. He'll be a junior for 2009. It was a tumultuous summer and fall of uncertainty for Williams, but it appears he will be back on the field in Doug Marrone's first year as SU's head coach.
Williams will almost certainly be a key cog in new coordinator Rob Spence's offense. In Spence's three full seasons as Clemson's offensive coordinator, the Tigers finished in the top four of the 12-team Atlantic Coast Conference in rushing, passing and total offense, despite fielding a different starting quarterback each year. In 2007, Spence's last full season with Clemson, wide receiver Aaron Kelly had 1,081 yards on 88 catches with 11 touchdowns.
magelb@syr.edu
thdunne@syr.edu
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