Early in the second quarter at Western Michigan in September 2003, a freshman Virginia receiver broke the huddle and lined up in the wideout spot next to junior Ottawa Anderson. There was one problem, however -- the newcomer, who was in for one of his first plays, had no idea what route to run.
He turned to the experienced Anderson who told him to run a post. The freshmen did as Anderson said and hauled in the first catch of his career -- a 35-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Marques Hagans -- helping propel the Cavaliers to a 59-16 triumph.
That was over 13 months ago. And although Hagans is now the quarterback again, not much else is the same for sophomore starting wide receiver Deyon Williams, who has progressed substantially since his days of leaving the huddle and not knowing what to do.
Since Anderson left the team and fellow sophomore Fontel Mines broke his collarbone during the Temple game, Williams has stepped up to fill the vacant spot at wideout this season. He has started two games opposite senior Michael McGrew and has had considerable playing time in each contest except against Syracuse, which he sat out with a hamstring injury. This year Williams has snagged 15 receptions for 232 yards and a 15.5 yards per catch average -- second on the team behind McGrew. His 15 catches are tops for a Cavalier wide receiver and his 46.4 yards per game average ranks him eighth in the conference.
"There's a lot of natural skill there, which obviously we want to take advantage of," Virginia coach Al Groh said of Williams.
Williams' break-out game came versus Clemson Oct. 7, when he led the team with five receptions for 83 yards. Three of his receptions were on third and long, including a 22-yard catch on 3rd-and-14 and a 25-yard catch on third-and-10.
"I'm improving every game," Williams said. "I'm learning how to be that starting receiver I'm supposed to be and that the team wants me to be."
Williams showed his potential last season, when he caught eight balls for 122 yards to lead the team with a 15.2 yards per catch average. Ironically, it was the loss of Anderson in the offseason that helped give Williams the opportunity to receive significant playing time this fall.
"First thing I thought was that it was a big loss for the team," Williams said of Anderson's departure. "He was a player all the receivers looked up to. Any time I had a question I could look up to him."
Williams brings a lot to the table as a 6-foot-3-inch, 188-pound wideout, who has blazing speed. He was a track-star in high school and his junior year he won regional titles in the 110-meter hurdles, the 300-meter hurdles and the high jump. He also brought home a state title in the 300. His top time in the 40-yard dash is a 4.39 and his personal best in the 100 is a 10.7.
"I think he can get a lot done," Groh said. "He has size and speed. He's got toughness; he wants the ball."
Mines is listed on the depth chart for the Duke contest this Saturday for the first time since he started the Temple game. Like Williams, Mines' first career catch last season was also a touchdown. However, don't look for Mines to resume his starting role any time soon. His teammate Williams has made the most of his opportunity.
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