Wake Forest Athletics
In the Spotlight: Ira Williams
10/12/2001 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 12, 2001
By Tripp Pendergast, Media Relations Student Assistant
During the first month of the season, Ira Williams learned football is not his favorite spectator sport. While he enjoyed seeing his teammates defeat rivals East Carolina and Appalachian State, it was hard for him to watch.
The senior wide receiver, who led the team in receptions as a junior, missed the first three games with a hairline fracture in his foot.
However, last week at Florida State, Williams made a return to the field and is ready to roll as he returns for his senior season as one of the ACC's top receivers. After a successful 2000 campaign as a junior, Williams looks forward to getting back into action.
"It feels great to be playing again. It was really hard watching the first three games on the sideline," Williams said. "I am ready to get back in and be my old self and set the ACC on fire."
Williams has been eagerly anticipating the season since Grobe came to the Deacons last winter.
"Coach is a very good coach," Williams said. "He came in with lots of discipline and that's good for the team. When he arrived, the whole attitude of the team changed."
Williams also cannot wait to get into the rhythm of the no huddle offense that Grobe and offensive coordinator Troy Calhoun has installed.
"It takes time to get used to, but it throws teams off-balance. That is our goal when we use it. We can control the tempo and play our style of football."
Last year, as a junior, Williams had an outstanding year, playing in every game. Williams caught 45 passes for a total of 495 yards and two touchdowns. He ranked fifth in the ACC with an average of 4.1 receptions per game. In a loss to Georgia Tech, Williams caught nine passes, third-highest game total by an ACC player in a single game last year.
During his sophomore year, Williams once again played in every game and caught thirteen passes for a total of 214 yards. He was the team's fifth leading receiver, and he had his biggest game of the year against Florida State. Against the Seminoles, though he caught just two passes for a total of 62 yards, they were memorable to Williams.
"I had those two catches against the number one team in the nation. It was amazing to make those catches in that situation on their field," Williams said.
However, the highlight thusfar in Williams' career was beating 14th-ranked Georgia Tech at home in their final game of the season. "That win got us to the Aloha Bowl where we beat Arizona State. That was one of the greatest wins for the program."
In that game, Williams and the rest of the Deacs beat the Yellow Jackets 26-23. The victory made Wake Forest bowl eligible, and the Deacs were invited to play in the Jeep Aloha Bowl in Hawaii.
In high school, Williams was a two-year letterman of the track team and a one-year letterman in basketball.
However, he knew that his future was in football. Williams is the son of a Rutgers defensive back, Ira Sr., who played for the Scarlet Knights in the early 1980's.
The younger Williams earned three letters in football, before going off to Fork Union Academy for his 1996 season. He led his team in receptions, with 35 for 630 yards and 12 touchdowns, leading his team to a 7-3 record.
At Fork Union, Williams sharpened his skills under coach John Shuman and he served as team captain due to his leadership abilities.
Shuman was extremely impressed with Williams, not just as player but as a person.
"Ira is an outstanding player with great hands and speed. More importantly, he is a classy young man who is an asset to Wake Forest's student body," Shuman said.
Williams has been very involved in other activities besides football throughout both high school and college. At Montclair High School, Williams was an honor roll student, and he was awarded with both Essex County and New Jersey Scholar Athlete awards.
At home in Montclair, N.J., Williams was very involved with the community. He participated with the Special Olympics and worked in a mentoring program.
In Winston-Salem, Williams continues to volunteer. He tutors children in the area. Williams fills in as a substitute teacher when he goes home for breaks in the school year.
"I love to work with kids. They are so much fun to be around, and they help keep you grounded," Williams said.
Today, Ira is currently interning at Paine-Weber for his second year and is really enjoying it.
"As a communications major, you don't get to see much of the business side like a business major does, but this internship shows me everything. I have learned a lot about working in an office and handling money," he said.
Is financial advising in the future for Williams?
"Maybe. I really enjoy interning there," Williams said, "but right now though, I am just concerned about football."
And setting the ACC on fire.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT is published in KICKOFF, the official gameday magazine of Wake Forest Football. The publication is on sale at each home football game at Groves Stadium. The player features from each issue of KICKOFF will be featured here on www.wakeforestsports.com, the official source for news, scores and more on Wake Forest Athletics.
