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CFI: Featured Match-Up: Derrick Williams vs. Vontae Davis - 9.27.08

1.26.09 - Derrick Williams' performance in the Senior Bowl proved what the player's former coach already knew: He's two or three players for the price of one. Despite Williams' North squad losing to the South, 35-18, at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Ala., on Saturday in the 2009 Under Armour Senior Bowl, the former Penn State wide receiver had a game-high 124 all-purpose yards with his catching, rushing and returning. Eleanor Roosevelt High School football coach Rick Houchens, who coached Williams in high school in Greenbelt, Md., said Williams' performance was "good" considering the amount of touches he had. "I think all the other GMs and coaches know that he's capable and has shown on tape that he's very versatile," Houchens said. "That's definitely a huge difference right there. Derrick has had such a great track record at returning kicks and punt returns for touchdowns." One play that caught the attention of NFL draft analysts was Williams' 44-yard kick return that set up the North's first touchdown.

1.23.09 - None of these defensive backs on the North – and there were some good ones – were able to stay with Derrick Williams in terms of his speed/quickness. After making most of his yardage at Penn St. on screen and junk passes, Williams showed he can in fact run routes and get down the field. - NFL Draft Bible On Location At The Senior Bowl

1.21.09 – Derrick Williams flashed the best second gear of any wide receiver here. Williams also looked more comfortable as a returner today and showed great field vision. Combine that with his quicks and the way he left defensive backs reeling with his moves in his routes and you have the best playmaker in the Senior class. - Draft Guys On Location at the Senior Bowl - Draft Guys On Location At The Senior Bowl

1.20.09 – Derrick Williams was breaking ankles out there, including completely turning around Darius Butler, and it is simply a joy to watch him work. His amazing athleticism was evident in one on one drills where he made David Bruton stumble, and corners regularly bit on his subtle moves. He didn't always haul in the catch, but there was electricity in his movement. His game may lack polish, but there are no corners on the north that can match his raw athleticism. Just like yesterday he struggled in the return game. - Draft Guys On Location At The Senior Bowl

1.19.09 – Derrick Williams had an up and down day on the field today. He can get off the line of scrimmage in a hurry, but when running slants he was rounding out his routes. Coaches alerted him to this problem and told him to flatten out as he comes across the field. Derrick's soft hands were clear to everyone on the sidelines, and he does a great job of looking the ball in every time. - Draft Guys On Location At The Senior Bowl

Scout's Take - 7.13.08

The Maryland native came to Happy Valley as one of the Nittany Lions’ biggest recruits in school history, and that’s saying a lot. He has not lived up to the hype but has had a solid college career to this point. The physical skills are there, particularly in the speed department—Williams is a legitimate burner capable of running by defenders. His biggest strength is the ability to make people miss, particularly in the open field so it’s no surprise that Williams is an electrifying return man, primarily as a punt returner. He is also a weapon in the running game, on reverses or end-arounds. Williams has shown glimpses of superstar potential, but not on a consistent basis. As a freshman, he suffered a broken arm, costing him the final five games of the 2005 season. Williams lacks the type of length and size associated with number one receivers in the NFL and his route running skills need work as well. Most of his receptions come on short routes, which is why he averaged just 9.6 yards per reception during his junior campaign. Despite his shortcomings, Williams could hear his name called early in April with a strong senior season.