MOBILE, Ala. — Willie Williams Jr., a defensive end at Sumter County High School in Americus, Ga., has given South Alabama a verbal commitment for its 2013 signing class.
Williams is 6-foot-2 and 255 pounds. Alabama, Georgia, UCLA and Arkansas were also recruiting him.
Early Playing Time a Factor
“This football team is very, very good,” Williams said. “I really like the coaching staff and I think it’s a real good program. It’s a good school and I believe I’ll get a good education.”
Williams said the chance to play right away and the youth of the program drew him to the Jaguars.
High School Coach’s View
Sumter County coach Michael Pollock said Williams plays both tight end and defensive end for his team.
“He’s a very athletic defensive end,” Pollock said. “We even feel if he had to that he could play linebacker for us.”
Pollock said Williams defends the run well and is strongest as a pass rusher. “He really has a nose for the quarterback on the rush game,” he said. “I think his feet and his speed are two assets that he has.” Pollock said Williams has played for the varsity since his sophomore year and believes he could make an immediate impact at South Alabama.
Pollock said Williams performed well at Georgia’s camp earlier this month and that the Bulldogs were in contact with him afterward. He said South Alabama made it clear Williams was a priority.
“I think he feels that South Alabama really cherishes his abilities and as a person and really wants him there and I think that’s part of why he picked them,” Pollock said.
South Alabama assistant coach Bryant Vincent recruited Williams. Pollock credited the Jaguars’ facilities, coaching staff and interest in Williams for the decision.
South Alabama’s 2013 Commitments
South Alabama, which plays its first Sun Belt Conference football season this fall under head coach Joey Jones, has also received verbal commitments from:
- Tiquan Lang, cornerback, Lowndes (Ga.): 5-8, 168 pounds; 73 tackles, three interceptions and a blocked kick in 2011, with five kickoff returns for 201 yards and a touchdown and six punt returns for 113 yards
- Terrell Pinson, free safety, Itawamba Community College: 6-3, 200 pounds; caught 10 passes for 160 yards and a touchdown as a freshman wide receiver
- Xavier Johnson, running back, Chamberlain (Fla.): 5-9, 170 pounds; rushed for 1,736 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2011
- Caleb Hayman, wide receiver/tight end, Gainesville (Fla.): 6-1, 193 pounds
- Dejon Funderburk, wide receiver, Washington High in Pensacola (Fla.): 6-0, 175 pounds; 31 catches for 720 yards and seven touchdowns, plus 362 rushing yards and four scores
- Taylor Lamb, quarterback, Calhoun (Ga.): 6-1, 190 pounds; completed 73 percent of his passes for 3,635 yards, 40 touchdowns and nine interceptions
- Justin Jones, running back, Northeast Mississippi Community College: 5-6, 180 pounds; rushed for 920 yards and caught 27 passes as a freshman
- Roman Buchanan, safety, Daleville (Ala.): 6-2, 195 pounds; 72 solo tackles, 45 assisted tackles, four sacks, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, two interceptions, four pass breakups and a blocked field goal as a junior
- Tevaris McCormick, wide receiver, Biloxi (Miss.): 5-9, 170 pounds; 769 receiving yards, 213 rushing yards and 265 return yards with 16 total touchdowns
- Jacob Chaffin, defensive tackle, Spain Park (Ala.): 6-3, 260 pounds; 38 solo tackles, eight tackles for loss and three sacks as a junior
- Devon Earl, safety, Hoover (Ala.): 61 tackles, five interceptions, 10 pass deflections and 3.5 tackles for loss as a junior
- Noah Armstrong, offensive tackle, Lawrence County (Ala.): 6-8, 300 pounds; also held offers from Arkansas State, Western Kentucky and Southern Miss
Verbal commitments are not binding.
