Talented Ferlando Williams will have many options for Penguins

By Pete Mollica

The senior standout will again be called on to play several positions.

YOUNGSTOWN — Youngstown State senior Ferlando Williams is a man of many talents on the football field.

Last season, his first since transferring to the Penguins from Georgia Military College, Williams saw action at wide receiver, tailback and quarterback and was exciting to watch at all three positions.

This year the 6-foot, 205-pounder is keeping quiet about where and how he’ll be used in the YSU offense.

“Y’all will just have to come out and see for yourself,” Williams said.

His first season at YSU was everything anybody expected out of him.

He led the Penguins in pass receiving with 42 receptions for 499 yards, an average of 11.9 yards a catch, and caught two for touchdowns. He also rushed for 464 yards on 74 carries and scored nine more touchdowns. He also was 2-for-3 passing for 21 yards. Plus he also returned five kickoffs for an average of 18 yards per return.

This season the Penguins are implementing a new offense. It will be a more spread-type formation and will operated without a huddle.

“Actually it was pretty easy to adapt to it,” Williams said. “Most of the guys picked it up very well in spring practice. The key to this offense is to keep the defense back on its heels not knowing just what we are going to do each play.”

Williams said that since spring the offense has really started to come together and he doesn’t see any difference in the offense with a new quarterback calling the plays.

“All of the quarterbacks have been doing a great job,” he added. “They are working hard just like the rest of us, but the biggest thing that needs to happen is for this offense to come together as one, then we’ll be where we need to be.”

Williams is excited about the Penguins’ offensive line this season.

“That’s where it all begins and they are the key to the whole offensive structure,” he said. “They make it happen and I can’t wait until we get into game conditions and see them in action.”

When asked about the new name for the conference this season, the Missouri Valley Football Conference, Williams laughed.

“I still call it the Gateway,” he said. “It’s mostly the same teams.

He’s also excited about going down to Columbus and playing Ohio State in the opening contest.

“It will definitely be exciting down there again, but I see a real competitive and hard played game.

“Our entire schedule is a very difficult one, probably the best we’ve faced in a number of years and we are go FINAL TUNEUPS ing to have to keep working hard all season long in order to handle it,” Williams said.

Williams knows he will be on the field a lot and at several different positions during the season, but he’d still like to do more.

“I want to return kicks and I’ve been working hard at it all camp and hopefully I’ll get my chance,” he added.

The Penguins had two workouts Friday, going in full pads in the morning and working mainly on special teams, while in the afternoon they worked out in shorts and did a lot of walk throughs.

A good sign for the offensive line was that senior tackle Tyler Booth was back in pads and ready to resume full drills. He missed several days of workouts after sustaining a minor knee injury, but has fully recovered.

Today they Penguins will hold their only jersey scrimmage of the fall camp. It will begin at noon at Stambaugh Stadium.

mollica@vindy.com