Tallahassee, Fla., outside linebacker Jeff Williams committed to the University of Louisville football team on Thursday – the Cardinal’s third pledge in the 2014 class. (They added to count on Saturday with the commitment of Ohio tight end Mickey Crum.) A three-star prospect from Lincoln High School, Williams (6-0, 205) had 87 tackles, including 23 for loss (10 sacks), 10 quarterback hurries, eight pass breakups and four interceptions his junior season. He is ranked as the nation’s No. 39 outside linebacker by Rivals.com. Lincoln coach Yusuf Shakir discussed Williams’ commitment with The Courier-Journal.
What did Jeff tell you about why he wanted to commit to Louisville?
He was impressed with the football program, but he was even more impressed by (assistant) coach Ron Dugans and their interactions and of course the linebackers coach (Brian Jean-Mary) and coach (Charlie) Strong. Coach Dugans was the main recruiter. He’s been recruiting here, and he’s from here (and is a former Florida State player). He’s been knowing Jeff for a long time and been highly impressed with Coach Dugans Then of course the success of the program, of course, helps because he had several other offers. I think there was just a personal relationship with Coach Dugans (that was a factor), and (there was) the success Coach Strong has had – not just the football success but the personal success – but of how he develops young men.
What were his other offers?
He had an offer from FSU. He had well over 15 other offers. (Because of the immense attention that Lincoln gets by college recruiters for multiple player) I can’t remember them all honestly. … Washington State and N.C. State offered (Wednesday), so I know them. He has a bunch of offers. Louisville offered in January or maybe even the fall.
And they like him for outside linebacker?
Yeah, outside linebacker. He’s great. He’s a phenomenal athlete. … He can do it all. He can cover. He can hit. He can rush the passer. He plays some tailback and some fullback for us. He can play offense. He’s natural football player with great athleticism. You have a lot of these kids out there that are rated very high because of their testing numbers and their height-weight ration and all of that. But you look at them on film, and they’re not real natural football players. This kid is a natural football player with all those intangibles.
For the record, what were some of his measurables?
6-1, 205. He’s a legit 4.5(-second) kid (in the 40-yard dash). I will never ever (overhype a player’s 40 time.) I’ve got a kid (wide receiver Reggie Davis) right now that ran a 10.5-second 100-meter dash who just signed with Georgia this past year, and I told everybody, he just ran a 4.4 guy because you can’t throw those numbers around loosely. But Jeff is right there, just a step slower than him. Jeff is just a phenomenal athlete.
Do you think Louisville moving to the ACC is attractive to some of the kids in Florida?
I think the simple fact that you have Florida State, and knowing they would be playing. I don’t know how all the divisions will break up, but if they break them up in the same division, they would play (in Tallahassee) at least twice in their career. I think that changes some things. Then you have Miami. Those kids would play in their home state at least four times in their career.
Is there any NFL or college player you would compare him to?
He comes from that Derrick Brooks type mode. He’s not 6-3 or 6-4, 230 pounds. I’m in now way comparing him to Derrick Brooks, but I’m just saying you know how Brooks was such a phenomenal athlete? That’s the kind of linebacker he is. Jeff had four interceptions for us and had 10 sacks. He can do both.
With his interceptions and pass breakups, he seems to be pretty good in coverage.
Oh, yeah, he’s a natural ball-catcher. He could play receiver. He has phenomenal hands.
How about his tackling or how he gets off block?
He’s very explosive. He has great closing speed. He strikes you when he gets to the point of attack. He’s a hitter more than a tackle.
Did you talk to Coach Dugans since Jeff committed?
Yes, he was excited. When they get serious about these juniors, everybody gets some offers, but with Jeff, they said, ‘We’ve got to have this guy, man’ because he’s such a great athlete. That’s any time you can get an athlete that’s a great football player.
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