RALEIGH
Jarvis Williams is confident that all facets of N.C. State's offense will come together this season, perhaps as never before, and he sees what he calls "a perfect storm" building.
"We've got receivers who can catch the ball," Williams said. "We've got a quarterback that can throw the ball. We've got a backup quarterback that can also throw the ball. We've got one of the best tight ends in the country, and we've got an offensive coordinator that wants to throw the ball.
"We just feel there's no way around it. Defenses are going to have trouble with us this year."
Offensive coordinator Dana Bible first used the "perfect storm" phrase to describe the unit's capability, according to Williams, a senior receiver who is expected to help lead the effort.
As Williams enters his final season, he is on the verge of becoming one of State's all-time receivers. He probably can't break Torry Holt's school record of 31 career touchdown catches, but he should be able to supplant Jerricho Cotchery (21) and reach second place.
Williams raised his career total to 15 with 11 scoring catches last season, a total that led the ACC. Of his 45 catches for the season, 36 were in conference games. He has a reception in 20 consecutive games and could move into fourth place all-time in the category at N.C. State.
Williams said he won't be concerned with personal achievement, only with helping his team finish with a winning record and qualify for a bowl.
"I just play," he said. "Once they start telling me week by week where I'm ranking, that's all I'll go by. I just go out there to make plays. That's my job."
He will have added responsibility this season. He was elected as one of the Wolfpack's captains in a players' vote. He called the vote a "tremendous honor" and said he won't take the job responsibilities lightly.
"I've told them I'll be the silent captain," Williams said.
"I lead by actions. I let them see what I do. I work hard. I never take a play off on the practice field.
"I keep grinding. When they see that, they want to do that. I feel it's my job to lead the team and push them to the max. When something's going wrong, I'm going to be the person to talk up, and tell them to fight through adversity."
Williams will be harder on himself than his teammates. He wants to prove that he is more than just a possession receiver who is always good for a few yards.
He said he wants to be known as a threat who can turn any catch into a big play.
"I always try to add something to my skills and my technique to take advantage of small defenders," he said. "I definitely added strength, and I've been working on my speed all summer. I want to show I can make plays, and I can take away some of Owen Spencer's deep plays."
Williams is aware that The Perfect Storm is a movie title about a true story. He has watched the movie and understands that it doesn't have a happy ending.
"The Perfect Storm isn't about the characters," he said. "There was no way out for them. Calling us ‘The Perfect Storm,' there's no way the defense can stop us. We're the storm."
bcole@wsjournal.com
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