Williams Returns to Receiver
8/9/2008 6:00:50 PM | Football
Senior Bruce Williams returned to the offensive side of the ball prior to the seventh preseason practice this afternoon due to an injury to sophomore receiver Dan Sheeran. Orange head coach Greg Robinson decided to have Williams, who has been battling for the starting free safety position during camp, become part of the SU receiver unit after Sheeran broke his fibula in Saturday morning's practice.
"Dan was in a seven-on-seven drill, he made a cut, caught the ball and kind of got his foot caught up and torqued his leg," Robinson said. "He will be out eight to 10 weeks. You'd like to think that he will be in a position to play in five football games in November."
Williams returns to the group he was with as a true freshman in 2005 when he had four receptions for 52 yards. Williams has also returned punts for the Orange.
"We did not move Bruce over there to not play," Robinson said of Williams. "He can catch the football, he can block and he will do everything right. He is going to be a leader. He will bring something to the receiver room immediately. With as many young people who are in that room, they need some veteran leadership. He will do a real good job – he already did today. You have to find ways to play your players."
"At first, it hurt because the last two years I have been playing safety and I have grown with the defense," Williams said of the move. "Then I thought, if I have to play receiver, I am going to do it because it is second nature to me still. I am here to bring leadership, maturity and concentration to the receiving corps."
In 2007, Sheeran had four catches for 24 yards.
Syracuse kicks off the 2008 campaign at Northwestern on Saturday, August 30. Season and individual game tickets are available online and at the Carrier Dome Box Office (1-888-DOMETIX).
