Both positive and negative connotations come to mind when a football player is said to have “potential.”
On one hand, the athlete possesses the size and skill necessary to have a quality, if not stellar, career.
On the other hand, the potential for
greatness means an athlete isn’t great yet.
Jaison Williams is one such player labeled with the “P” word. The redshirt freshman wide receiver is listed at 6-foot-5 and 237 pounds on Oregon’s spring roster. He can power clean
320 pounds, squat 420 and has the speed to cause headaches for any defense.
In short, Williams is a matchup problem waiting to happen.
“Jaison is an eyeful,” head coach Mike
Bellotti said. “He’s (big) and runs about 10.6 or 10.7 in the 100 meters, so that in and of itself gets your attention.”
Bellotti, however, said that Williams’ improvement from last season is as important as his size. The Inglewood, Calif., native is becoming a more consistent receiver and is slowly working toward earning a spot in the Ducks’ new wide-open offense.
“He’s made a real improvement this spring and over the course of the year in catching the ball,” Bellotti said. “He’s catching the ball more consistently, he’s running routes better, he understands (the offense better), and he’s a big receiver that’s a tough matchup. He’s got a bright future now, and if he continues to improve, he’ll be fighting for a starting spot.
“Jaison is becoming the receiver we hoped he would be when we recruited him.”
Williams’ talents were on display during Tuesday’s practice when he snared a Dennis Dixon pass over the top of cornerback Marques Binns deep down the right sideline. While such catches certainly help his confidence, Williams said he needs to make more plays, be more physical with defenders and continue learning his assignments.
“I can do a whole lot better,” Williams said. “Right now I’m just playing mediocre. I’m not living up to the potential of my game so far. I just need to keep at it, and I’ll get where I need to be.”
Williams played tight end during his sophomore year at Culver City High School before moving to wide receiver during his junior season, where he eventually garnered SuperPrep All-American honors. With his size, Williams offers the kind of security blanket to quarterbacks that only a select group of receivers can. The freshman can snare passes nearly
12 feet off the ground with his tremendous reach and will allow Oregon signal callers to be a little high with their throws.
“If you throw him a jump ball, that’s a mismatch against safeties, let alone corners,” senior quarterback Kellen Clemens said. “Once he refines his skills a little bit, he’s going to be one hell of a receiver.”
As spring practice continues, Williams will battle a talented group of receivers — including Demetrius Williams, Cameron Colvin, Brian Paysinger and James Finley — for playing time.
While inexperienced, Jaison Williams certainly has enough talent to produce.
Now it’s just a matter of shedding that dreaded label.
“Jaison, right now, is a guy who has improved immensely over the offseason,” Clemens said. “With his size and speed, he has
unlimited potential.”