Williams II Rises Above the Radar
11/10/2022 10:00:00 AM | Football
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Dexter Williams II flashed potential against Penn State. He ran and passed and, yes, made mistakes in last Saturday's college debut.
What will it mean for this Saturday's game at No. 2 Ohio State (9-0) and the rest of the season?
It's too early to say, but this much head coach Tom Allen knows -- Williams has a bright future.
"I just love the kid because he's everything you want in a teammate, in a leader, and a guy that's part of our program," Allen says.
Last Saturday's debut came after starter Connor Bazelak was too beat up to play, and backup Jack Tuttle, after hurting his shoulder in the second quarter, couldn't play.
Williams, a redshirt sophomore, and Brendan Sorsby, a true freshman, got their shots against a powerful Penn State defense, with the mixed results, offensive coordinator Walt Bell says, that you'd expect from guys with no experience and limited practice reps.
The 6-1, 200-pound Williams ran four times for 24 yards. He was 4-for-11 for 41 yards and two interceptions.
Still, he sparked some much-needed offensive life.
"He has all the natural physical skills," Bell says. "He loves football. He's a studier. He's a worker.
"So many times people talk about physical tools. He's unrefined right now. We have to catch up some of the other tools with the really sharp ones. He has a lot of ability."
A torn ACL sidelined Williams for the entire 2021 season. He stayed focused on and off the field, and earned Academic All-Big Ten honors.
"He's a guy everybody loves," Bell says. "He's been here through difficult times. He's had injuries and setbacks. Through that, there's a level of trust you build. It's the type of kid he is. He's a joy to coach."
Joy came from hard recruiting work. Despite Georgia high school all-state recognition after totaling 2,508 total yards and 29 touchdowns as a dual-threat senior, despite a winning nature that produced victories in 19 of his last 20 regular season games, Williams generated little big-time interest. Allen calls him a "diamond in the rough" and an "under-the-radar guy from a small school."
Allen and his staff liked what they saw and heard while recruiting him. An in-person visit, and a chance to talk to people at the school and the community, made a strong impact.
"Just the way the community raved about him as a person, as a leader, and then his character," Allen says. "The way he treated people.
"His athleticism was at a high level, but the character piece, that's what I love about him and in that quarterback position."
IU had targeted another quarterback, but when that didn't work out, Allen offered and Williams instantly accepted.
"He was so fired up to come here."
The Penn State performance showed Williams' potential.
"He showed that he's got a lot," Allen says. "He did a lot of good things during the game. It's just a growth process for him."
IU could use Williams in selected packages, much as it has with quarterback-turned-receiver Donaven McCulley.
"It depends how the game is going," Bell says, "and what opportunities present themselves from what we're getting from the defense."
What will it mean for this Saturday's game at No. 2 Ohio State (9-0) and the rest of the season?
It's too early to say, but this much head coach Tom Allen knows -- Williams has a bright future.
"I just love the kid because he's everything you want in a teammate, in a leader, and a guy that's part of our program," Allen says.
Last Saturday's debut came after starter Connor Bazelak was too beat up to play, and backup Jack Tuttle, after hurting his shoulder in the second quarter, couldn't play.
Williams, a redshirt sophomore, and Brendan Sorsby, a true freshman, got their shots against a powerful Penn State defense, with the mixed results, offensive coordinator Walt Bell says, that you'd expect from guys with no experience and limited practice reps.
The 6-1, 200-pound Williams ran four times for 24 yards. He was 4-for-11 for 41 yards and two interceptions.
Still, he sparked some much-needed offensive life.
"He has all the natural physical skills," Bell says. "He loves football. He's a studier. He's a worker.
"So many times people talk about physical tools. He's unrefined right now. We have to catch up some of the other tools with the really sharp ones. He has a lot of ability."
A torn ACL sidelined Williams for the entire 2021 season. He stayed focused on and off the field, and earned Academic All-Big Ten honors.
"He's a guy everybody loves," Bell says. "He's been here through difficult times. He's had injuries and setbacks. Through that, there's a level of trust you build. It's the type of kid he is. He's a joy to coach."
Joy came from hard recruiting work. Despite Georgia high school all-state recognition after totaling 2,508 total yards and 29 touchdowns as a dual-threat senior, despite a winning nature that produced victories in 19 of his last 20 regular season games, Williams generated little big-time interest. Allen calls him a "diamond in the rough" and an "under-the-radar guy from a small school."
Allen and his staff liked what they saw and heard while recruiting him. An in-person visit, and a chance to talk to people at the school and the community, made a strong impact.
"Just the way the community raved about him as a person, as a leader, and then his character," Allen says. "The way he treated people.
"His athleticism was at a high level, but the character piece, that's what I love about him and in that quarterback position."
IU had targeted another quarterback, but when that didn't work out, Allen offered and Williams instantly accepted.
"He was so fired up to come here."
The Penn State performance showed Williams' potential.
"He showed that he's got a lot," Allen says. "He did a lot of good things during the game. It's just a growth process for him."
IU could use Williams in selected packages, much as it has with quarterback-turned-receiver Donaven McCulley.
"It depends how the game is going," Bell says, "and what opportunities present themselves from what we're getting from the defense."
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