Derrick Williams (born July 6, 1986) is an American
football player at Pennsylvania State University.
Williams was widely regarded as one of the top high
school football prospects of 2005, coming out of
Eleanor Roosevelt High School in Greenbelt,
Maryland. As a freshman, Williams was spectacular at
quarterback, running back, wide receiver and
defensive back. His touchdown catch late in Penn
State's matchup with Northwestern that year won the
Lions that game and was nominated for a
Game-Changing Performance of the Year. It was part
of an explosive, four-touchdown start that was cut
short by a broken arm he suffered during the Nittany
Lions' October 15, 2005 loss against the University
of Michigan, the team's only loss that season.
The Sporting News named Williams to the freshman
All-Big Ten Conference team despite having played
just seven games in 2005. He was named to the
preseason All-Big Ten second-team for the 2006
season by The Sporting News.
In the 2006-2007 year he returned at wide receiver
for the Nittany Lions, but registered just two
touchdowns all season. He played both running back
and wideout in the Outback Bowl, helping Penn State
to a 20-10 win against Tennessee.
He began the 2007 season with only 6 catches for 45
yards in his first two games, but had an
electrifying 78 yard punt return touchdown against
Notre Dame, his second career special teams
touchdown.
