After much of the leadership from the Wisconsin football team graduated at the end of last year, a few players were going to have to step up and take the reins. One of the players who has accepted that role is number one in the program, and number one in many of the Badger faithful's hearts, senior wide receiver Brandon Williams.
Leading the team in receptions, receiving yards, kickoff and punt return yardage, he has been a great boost for UW in this young season.
\I wouldn't say I have done anything different this year,"" Williams said. ""It's just all kind of coming together, everything physically, mentally is in the right position.""
""Just the fact that he's healthy [is different],"" wide receivers coach Henry Mason said. ""He certainly looks faster right now than he's ever looked, but he's always had that ability. It's just a matter of being able to get out there every day.""
The year has been a terrific one thus far for the receiver/returner. He has been a big-play threat all over the field, being John Stocco's favorite target, stats wise, with 10 receptions for 144 yards. More importantly, Williams has been a maniac on special teams. Eighth in the nation in punt return yards and yards/return, he has 154 yards along with the one touchdown two weeks ago against Temple. Kick returning has been even more impressive as he has two returns for 123 yards, including an 85-yarder against Bowling Green. His absurd 61.5 yards/return would easily be first in the nation if kickers ever kicked the ball to him, as his two returns are not enough to land him in the category.
""I'm just out to prove that we can put a whole season together as a team,"" Williams said. ""Every year we've been kind of up, and then we fall down. I just hope that this year we can stay up, and just keep on going.""
While Williams may not be the typical prototype of a receiver (5'11"", 175 pounds), he has certainly proven that size does not matter. For a team that does not revolve around passing, Williams' numbers are fairly impressive. He is only 27 receiving yards away from 2000 for his career, and has also amassed 153 catches, playing in every single game since he arrived in Madison. With his speed and the size of his fellow seniors Jonathan Orr and Brandon White, the Badger receiving corps can show some different looks to opposing teams.
""I guess most teams have the typical receivers, the same type of receivers,"" Orr said. ""It does throw teams off a little bit with mismatches.""
One cannot miss Williams while they are viewing pre-game festivities. If fans arrive early for games, they will be entertained by Williams bouncing to the music over the loudspeaker, pumping up the fans, and putting up the ""O."" His play and manner are two reasons that he has become such a fan favorite.
""That's just me personally, how I get ready for games and how I like to play. I like to play loose and real upbeat,"" Williams said. ""I love the fans' support, I'm just here to entertain, so whatever I can do.""
The accolades and honors have been plenty already for Williams. Coming into the year as an honorable mention All-Big Ten pick, he has accumulated even more. In the first game of the season, Williams broke the Wisconsin career kick return yardage record, as he only needed 46 yards. He only needed one Pontiac Game-Changing Performance to break that record, with a monstrous 85-yard return that got the Badgers back on track in the game. In addition, he got Big Ten co-Special Teams Player of the Week for his performance against Temple.
""I don't really focus on that, of course I want to make as many plays as possible, but I don't focus on it,"" Williams said. ""We really have to focus on the team aspect of the game.""
With Michigan coming to town, winners of the last three at Camp Randall and 15 out of the last 17 overall against the Badgers, Williams and Co. are going to have to be at the top of their game. The Wolverines' speacial teams are impressive, as not one punt returner has gotten any yardage against them, and the average drive starts at the opponent's 20 yard line. Michigan also has a very good pass defense, allowing only 153 passing yards per game, so Wisconsin will have to take every chance they get.
""You better make the plays when you get the opportunity,"" Mason said. ""It [all] comes down to execution.""
With his career winding down, Williams had these words of wisdom to offer: ""I'm definitely going to miss it [here], [but] I'll be happy wherever I'm at.\
