Home › Football
Williams out to make most of last CU season
STORY TOOLS
More Football
- College bowl slate could be maxed out
- Behrens ready for return home
- CU hopes to add counselor to staff
Share and Enjoy [?]
Four years ago, Patrick Williams’ potential at Colorado was boundless.
When asked about the 2004 incoming freshmen, then CU head coach Gary Barnett singled the 6-foot-2 Williams out as a name to remember.
Four years later, Williams is still trying to make a name for himself in the Big 12 and working hard to make sure he is not forgotten on the depth chart entering his senior season.
He is currently listed as the starter at the ‘X’ position with gifted sophomore Josh Smith — also known as Darrell Scott’s uncle — breathing down his shoulder pads.
“I told Josh the day he got here, ‘I’m going to teach you everything I know,’¥” Williams said. “Because if I’m not making a play I want him to be out there making a play. I just want us to win. It’s not about me. Let’s do it.”
After suffering an injury and redshirting as a true freshman, Williams has played in all of the Buffs’ games each of the last three seasons with a total of 74 receptions for 748 yards (10.1) and just one touchdown.
Those are the kind of numbers Barnett probably expected to see from No. 4 in one season.
The good news is there is one more season left for Williams, who was honored by the coaches with the John Wooten Award in the spring for his work ethic in practice and with the Most Improved Student-Athlete Award at CU’s 2008 academic recognition luncheon.
“Eight touchdowns, 800 yards plus, All-Big 12,” Williams says when asked what would constitute a successful season individually for him. “But we’re building our program off of competition. Competition is what’s going to fuel us to get better. You can’t sit still in your seat, not even one day. If I sit still in my seat, Josh is going to come up and get it.”
Two factors have contributed to the slow on-field development for Williams at CU:
1. He was an option quarterback at DeSoto (Texas) High School and had never played wide receiver before arriving in Boulder.
2. Due to the coaching change and other issues in the program, Williams has worked with three different position coaches and played with three different starting quarterbacks (Joel Klatt in 2006, Bernard Jackson in 2007, Cody Hawkins in 2008).
“Once he kind of got into a normal mode of just kind of hearing the things that I was talking about over a long period of time, he could finally get into more of a comfort zone,” said CU passing game coordinator/wide receivers coach Eric Kiesau. “I think that’s why he’s gotten better. Everybody asks me, ‘What did you do?’ I didn’t do anything except be more consistent in his coaching life.”
The fact that Hawkins returns under center will only increase the opportunity for Williams to start realizing the potential that has been there since he first stepped foot on campus.
“Coming from being an option quarterback, it was completely different when I got here,” Williams reflected. “I had never run routes before. I was just raw. I had never really trained myself to catch the ball like that, and it has been a work in progress since my freshman year.”
History suggests Williams will at least get off to a strong start in the opener against Colorado State. On CU’s first offensive play of the 2007 season at Invesco Field he gained 24 yards on a reverse and finished with five receptions for 59 yards. Two years ago he also had a season-high five receptions against CSU.
Although Williams probably won’t be able to sneak up on the Rams, the coaching staff believes he is finally poised to make a big splash in the Big 12.
“He has been a quiet leader and is very quietly getting better and better since when we first got here,” Kiesau said. “Because we’re very young all over the field and at receiver, that was one of the first things we talked about in our meeting. We told the young players to look at a guy like Patrick Williams who has been here for a long time.”
Posted by archalon on August 8, 2008 at 2:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If he had not dropped so many passes, his numbers would be better. I hope I can quit calling him 'stone-hands' this year.
Put it together Patrick
Posted by extrapoint on August 8, 2008 at 3:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Everything I have read says this guy has given his all. My hats off to him.
Posted by RalphieRepresentah4 on August 8, 2008 at 3:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
the drop in the endzone against az st last year was a game changer.the buffs lost all momentum from that point.i dont think he was the same after that.i hope he gets it together.
Posted by chapmace on August 8, 2008 at 3:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I think this is the same exact article that was written on him last season...what a bust.
Posted by bouldabuff on August 8, 2008 at 3:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm not so quick to call him a bust. 3 quarterbacks and 3 position coaches in 3 years is pretty tough. McKnight had a big year last year because of his previous relationship with Cody - I would look for P-Dub to have a pretty big year now that he and Cody have some chemistry.
Posted by littlejake on August 8, 2008 at 3:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
JUST WATCH AND SEE...HE WILL HAVE A TERRIFIC SEASON. THIS IS A QUALITY GUY IN ALL SENSE OF THE WORD.
Posted by chapmace on August 8, 2008 at 3:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Just another excuse. The guy does this every year. He looks great in the spring and pre-season then when the games start he drops everything. I don't care how many coaches and QBs he's played for; there is no excuse for that many dropped balls.
Posted by shoofly on August 8, 2008 at 4:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
D-rop.
Posted by chapmace on August 8, 2008 at 4:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I didn't say anything about his character; I just said he can't catch a football. I'm sure he is a quality guy! There are lots of quality people that can't catch a football either. All I'm saying is there was a lot of hype built up about this kid and so far that's all he's been...a bunch of hype. Trust me, I hope I'm wrong. I hope he has over 1,000 yards this season, but if past performance is an indicator of future performance, it ain't happening.
Posted by rodrigo on August 8, 2008 at 4:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
With all the heat he's taken from us you have to give P credit - great attitude and work ethic. Sounds like he's bustin' his a** in order to be a part of something big. Here's hoping he puts it all together.
Posted by OutToPasture on August 8, 2008 at 4:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I hope this kid has a great year. All you ever hear about him is what a quality person he is and how he has such a tremendous work ethic. He puts in the work and does everything right, it's time that pays off for him!
[Though it's not a good sign that he's not looking the ball into his hands in the picture tied to this article...]
Posted by LJBUFFS on August 8, 2008 at 5:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
quit bashing our players. Patrick is a standup guy and a true Buff. Here's to a big year for the senior and to many victories. Go Buffs!
Posted by Ralphie2 on August 8, 2008 at 7:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Let's see it this year, Pat! You got it, baby!
Posted by BlackAndGold on August 8, 2008 at 11:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It would be great for this young man to go out on a good note (ie: have a great last season). He's been through a lot. And he didn't quit when other players were leaving. Hopefully it will all come together for him this season.
Posted by ruffemupbuffaloes on August 8, 2008 at 11:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
At the end of the season, I think many pro scouts will know about him. It has been too long since the Buffs have had a wideout make an impact. This guy is good! If Cody throws to him, defenses will have to give him extra attention. I'm liking the WR prospects this year. And it won't hurt to have Scott and Polk slamming it inside or catching the corner. I don't think offense will be an issue. The secondary and kicking game are suspect. But if we score enough points not much on the D side of the ball matters. Anyone care to mention a better LB depth chart?
Posted by BuffMan6236 on August 8, 2008 at 11:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
P-Dub this is your year. Focus, focus, focus.
Think ball, ball, ball, catch. Now run.
Keep telling yourself that every time it is in the air, it works.
Forget the naysayers.
"Losers live in the past. Winners learn from the past and enjoy living in the present towards the future."
Posted by oz_in_cali on August 9, 2008 at 9:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Gotta admit that the drops are a concern, but thankfully we are not counting on Williams to be "the guy", thanks to increased depth at WR. Because of his work ethic and attitude, Williams seems like the kind of guy who will not be denied the chance to contribute, so while I think 800 yards and All Big12 might be a stretch, I think that his speed and ability to go down field make 8 TD possible (especially if he can start off with a quick 4 TDs vs. CSU).
Keep up the great work Patrick. You are a True Buff!
Posted by Buff_bronc_fan on August 9, 2008 at 11:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
With Marques Simas ineligible, Williams absolutely has to step up this year. There are really no other receivers on the roster that bring the type of size and speed combination that Williams possesses.
He's proven he can get open, now he has to prove he can do it consistantly and catch the friggin ball. That ASU drop was an absolute killer.
Posted by LBCBuff on August 9, 2008 at 12:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'd love to see Williams have a big year, seems like a great guy. I just hope his playing time isn't at the expense of J-Fly's. J-Fly is just flat-out a playmaker - he needs to be on the field a lot. It would be nice to see Williams and J-Fly on the field at the same time - J-Fly plays bigger than the 6' he's listed at, combine that with Williams and that's good size at WR. Why not split those two out on the ends and have the McKnight-types running out of the slot? We're pulling for you Patrick, make us forget that ASU debacle.
(Requires free registration.)
Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned. Click here for our full user agreement.