Penguins’ Williams expecting big things

The wide receiver will take on a larger role in the offense this fall.

SPECIAL TO THE VINDICATOR

YOUNGSTOWN — Youngstown State senior Ferlando Williams knows he’s going to be a big part of the team’s offense this season, but it’s something that he doesn’t spend much time thinking about.

Williams, a transfer from Georgia Military Academy and a native of Warner Robins, Ga., made a big impact last season as a wide receiver and a running quarterback for the Penguins.

Williams (6-foot, 205 pounds) led the team in receptions and was one of the top ball carriers and scored 10 touchdowns in his first season. He was named to the Gateway Conference newcomer team.

“It just feels wonderful to be out here again,” Williams said. “It’s spring time, good weather and we haven’t had any snow out here at practice, so all is well.”

Williams said his role will take shape, but he’s not thinking about it.

“I just take it play by play. I really don’t think about it,” he said. “They are giving opportunities for me to follow up on.

“We are really just trying to get the basics of the offense down,” he added. “We’ve got a new offensive program coming in so we’re just trying to get everything. They say I play the ‘slash’ role so I have to play my role just like everybody else on the team.”

Williams said he has his goals.

“I really take it play by play and game by game. I just try to get ready for my next opponent and the next time I get on the field and that’s all.”

This season Williams will be working with a new quarterback.

“Sometimes you have to chop things down,” he said. “You can’t just go 100 percent all the time with them so you have to run things at three-quarter speed so they can see you and get a feel for you. The only thing they can do is get a feel for me so that’s the best think I try to do for them.”

Williams said he doesn’t see a lot of difference in the passing from Tom Zetts last year to Todd Rowan this year.

“They both got that rocket,” he said. “They have some cannons so they can zip it right in there. I call Todd Rowan ‘Tony Romo’ so that’s my man right there.”

Williams wants the team to come together between now and the spring game.

“I know our purpose and what we have to do any keep everybody on the same page step for step,” he said. “So we can do this thing for next season and we need to have a successful spring, a successful summer coming up so in the fall everything should all come together.”

Williams isn’t the only veteran receiver returning to the Penguins this year. Senior Da’Michael Horn (5-11, 185) is another veteran, although he has been hampered early this spring with a thigh bruise.

Horne says he feels good about this year’s receivers.

“I feel confident in this group because of the work ethic of the young guys,” he said. “I worked out with them all spring and a little bit over break. We’ve been catching balls in the gym and doing a lot of things to help out. I think the leadership will play a big role in the young guys working hard.”

Horne also doesn’t have any problems with the quarterback position.

“Hard work, film, just learning the game and learning the offense is the main thing I can say about that,” he said. “Learning the offense through film and studying. I think it will all come together. Football’s a game that takes time and so with time we’ll get better.”

The Penguins will work out again this morning at 9:30 a.m. at Stambaugh Stadium.