ORLANDO WILLIAMS

Washington High School
Virginia Tech and Washington & Jefferson College

ATHLETE –FOOTBALL, TRACK AND FIELD, WRESTLING

Two-time All-Century Conference player and an outstanding linebacker and tight end. As a junior was the deep man on kickoff returns.

Orlando was a key member of the 1980 and 1981 WPIAL team track Class AAA champions.

He captured the WPIAL Class AAA shot put championship and finished second in the PIAA to earn a silver medal in 1981.

In 1981, he was a WPIAL runnerup at heavyweight and was one of five Wash High Little Prexies to qualify for the individual PIAA Championships.

He was a key member of the WPIAL Class AA team tournament wrestling championship team of 1980-81. Williams’ fall at heavyweight sealed the championship for Wash High. The Little Prexies also placed second in the state tournament as a team – their highest finish in the modern era.

Orlando was a starting defensive tackle at Virginia Tech and played alongside fellow Hookies’ defensive tackle and former NFL standout Bruce Smith in 1983.

The Hokies’ 1983 defense allowed 10 points or less in seven of 11 games. Allowed 20 or more points once (21) and posted four shutouts. Despite going 9-2, Virginia Tech – which at the time was a major independent — was not invited to a bowl game. It was never ranked during the regular season but was ranked 20th in the final computerized poll.

Virginia Tech’s defense, No. 1 in the country, yielded just 69.4 yards per game and 186.7 passing yards a game. That defense still holds Hokies school records for fewest TD passes allowed (6); fewest points allowed 91; fewest points allowed per game 8.27; and fewest TDs overall 11.

Orlando transferred to Washington and Jefferson College and became a dominant performer on the defensive line, becoming an All-Presidents’ Conference first-team selection and was named the PAC’s Defensive Player-of-the-Year in 1985.