brimick79
12-22-2004, 06:19 PM
Long time lurker, I was just a little suprised no one posted about this.
From rivals.com.
Greenbelt (Md.) Eleanor Roosevelt athlete/wide receiver Derrick Williams has been the No. 1 player in the nation since our first rankings came out last winter. Now his recruiting journey has come to an end with a commitment on national television on Wednesday. Williams will be playing in the Big Ten next season.
Williams will be a Nittany Lion next month.
"I am committing to Penn State," Williams told us minutes before his press conference was televised on ESPNews. "It was obviously a tough decision and something I went back and forth on for a while. However, ever since my Penn State visit, I've been comparing all the other schools to them and no one beat them out."
Williams, a 6-foot-0, 189-pounder who runs a 4.31-second 40-yard dash, chose Penn State over offers from Florida, Tennessee, Texas and Oklahoma. He also had offers from more than 50 other programs. So why Penn State?
"There are so many reasons, but the main one is that I just felt more comfortable there and with the coaching staff," he said. "Joe Paterno is a great coach, they have great fans and I really feel I can make an impact there. One of the things I wanted when I began this process was to go to a program where I can be a difference maker. I think I could do that at any of the schools because I have confidence in my ability, but at Penn State I can make more of a difference and faster."
Penn State is just about three hours from the Williams residence and Derrick is very close with his family.
"That's a big advantage, but wasn't the reason," he said. "My parents and family have been very supportive throughout the process and they stressed that, no matter where I go, they will find a way to continue that support. I'm happy that it will be easier for them to do that now that I'll be close to home."
Williams plans on getting out on the recruiting trail right away.
"I'll make some phone calls," he said. "I want to play with top talent and I hope I can help convince some guys to come with me. I'm glad that Justin King (No. 1 cornerback in the country, already committed to PSU) is going as well. We should provide some speed for Penn State."
Who finished second?
"It doesn't really matter," he said. "I don't really want to say who was first and who was fifth."
Williams will enroll at Penn State in January and take part in winter conditioning and spring football.
"I'm ready," he said. "The recruiting process has been great, but I'm ready to start playing again."
________
Penn State already has an outstanding defense. Now they have the two of the best prep playmakers in the country. Plus one of the best prep quaterbacks from last year. Alot of highly rated running backs on the team. Next year could be a monster year for the Lions.
Joe Paterno had to prove he could still connect with today's athletes. He's done that. Now let's see if he can open his offense enough to make room Williams and King (the top DB coming out of HS as stated in the article whom will almost undoubtebly play both offense and defense).
BTW, not a Penn State fan so no bias here. I just have a great admiration for Joe Paterno and hope he can go out a winner.
From rivals.com.
Greenbelt (Md.) Eleanor Roosevelt athlete/wide receiver Derrick Williams has been the No. 1 player in the nation since our first rankings came out last winter. Now his recruiting journey has come to an end with a commitment on national television on Wednesday. Williams will be playing in the Big Ten next season.
Williams will be a Nittany Lion next month.
"I am committing to Penn State," Williams told us minutes before his press conference was televised on ESPNews. "It was obviously a tough decision and something I went back and forth on for a while. However, ever since my Penn State visit, I've been comparing all the other schools to them and no one beat them out."
Williams, a 6-foot-0, 189-pounder who runs a 4.31-second 40-yard dash, chose Penn State over offers from Florida, Tennessee, Texas and Oklahoma. He also had offers from more than 50 other programs. So why Penn State?
"There are so many reasons, but the main one is that I just felt more comfortable there and with the coaching staff," he said. "Joe Paterno is a great coach, they have great fans and I really feel I can make an impact there. One of the things I wanted when I began this process was to go to a program where I can be a difference maker. I think I could do that at any of the schools because I have confidence in my ability, but at Penn State I can make more of a difference and faster."
Penn State is just about three hours from the Williams residence and Derrick is very close with his family.
"That's a big advantage, but wasn't the reason," he said. "My parents and family have been very supportive throughout the process and they stressed that, no matter where I go, they will find a way to continue that support. I'm happy that it will be easier for them to do that now that I'll be close to home."
Williams plans on getting out on the recruiting trail right away.
"I'll make some phone calls," he said. "I want to play with top talent and I hope I can help convince some guys to come with me. I'm glad that Justin King (No. 1 cornerback in the country, already committed to PSU) is going as well. We should provide some speed for Penn State."
Who finished second?
"It doesn't really matter," he said. "I don't really want to say who was first and who was fifth."
Williams will enroll at Penn State in January and take part in winter conditioning and spring football.
"I'm ready," he said. "The recruiting process has been great, but I'm ready to start playing again."
________
Penn State already has an outstanding defense. Now they have the two of the best prep playmakers in the country. Plus one of the best prep quaterbacks from last year. Alot of highly rated running backs on the team. Next year could be a monster year for the Lions.
Joe Paterno had to prove he could still connect with today's athletes. He's done that. Now let's see if he can open his offense enough to make room Williams and King (the top DB coming out of HS as stated in the article whom will almost undoubtebly play both offense and defense).
BTW, not a Penn State fan so no bias here. I just have a great admiration for Joe Paterno and hope he can go out a winner.