WR Williams' return bolsters Nittany Lions

He missed half the season a year ago with a broken arm.
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) -- While sidelined by a severely broken left arm late last season, Derrick Williams ached to get back on the football field -- so much so that he cried while watching one practice from afar.
That's when coach Joe Paterno walked up to his wideout and told him to use the time off as a learning experience.
"I didn't want to hear that at all," Williams said Wednesday. "But in the long run, I know it helped me a lot."
Last season's impact freshman is back, and he's eager to show off in spring practice what he learned from the bench.
"I always tell people when you miss practice, it's one of the toughest things in the world to miss something you love so much," Williams said. "But I can read coverages better. I got new insights from the experience. Just learning the game more."
Big-play receiving threat
As a freshman last season, Williams helped ignite a potent offense as a big-play receiving threat. Paterno also used the speedy Williams at times in the backfield, where he averaged 4.8 yards a rush on 22 carries and three touchdowns before hurting his arm in a last-second loss to Michigan in October.
The injury knocked him out for the year. Williams was forced to scale back in the weight room, and it took him awhile to regain his range of motion in the arm.
He admits that having to watch Penn State's Orange Bowl win in January from the sidelines was tough, but he understood why Paterno was being cautious.
Back to 100 percent
Williams says he is now 100 percent and the arm is fine when taking a hit in practice. The real test is still five months away, when the Nittany Lions open the season Sept. 2 against Akron.
There will be some different faces in the huddle. Left tackle Levi Brown is the only returning starter from last year's offensive line. Anthony Morelli, the backup quarterback the last two years, will likely be playing quarterback instead of Michael Robinson, who graduated.
Morelli can relate with Williams about the view from the bench.
"It was really tough, but it was a learning experience," Morelli said. "I've got to put that behind me and get ready for the season."
New quarterback
That means lots of reps this spring between Morelli and Williams and the rest of the talented receivers as they try to develop a rapport that can carry over to the fall. Getting timing down is key.
"They're all new to me this coming season," Morelli said. "I just wanted to practice with Derrick and them. They're a lot faster."
Morelli has a stronger arm and is more of a drop-back passer than Robinson, who could beat opponents through the air or on the ground. But Morelli hasn't played many meaningful minutes yet in his career, and there's no telling how the revamped offensive line will look come fall.
Hard-nosed running back Tony Hunt, a 1,000-yard rusher, will be back, along with backup Austin Scott. Deon Butler, who caught nine touchdowns last season, and sure-handed Jordan Norwood return at receiver as sophomores. Wideout Chris Bell, one of this year's top recruits, may also be an important contributor right away.
Williams' return should be a boon for Morelli, too. Williams said he's not practicing in the backfield much this season because coaches are familiar with his talents, including a 40-yard dash that has been clocked at less than 4.3 seconds.
"We just don't want to be a one-hit wonder, then come back the next year and stink it up," Williams said.
Spring practice concludes April 22 with the Blue-White scrimmage.
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