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CJ Williams initially impressed USC's coaching staff last May during Mater Dei High School's spring showcase, standing out on the field among older prospects, and the Trojans offered him a month later after getting him on campus for one of their elite camps.
He hadn't even begun his sophomore year of high school at that point, but he's been a priority target for the program ever since.
And after putting up solid numbers last fall for the Monarchs -- 50 catches for 684 yards and 4 touchdowns (according to MaxPreps) -- despite being the young guy in a deep receiving corps, Williams' recruiting stock only continues to grow. His offer list already includes the likes of SEC powers Alabama, LSU Georgia and Auburn, marquee Big 12 and Big 10 programs like Texas and Michigan, along with Notre Dame and a bevy of Pac-12 interest.
As for USC, he says the staff continues to recruit him aggressively -- as aggressively as they are allowed to recruit a 2022 prospect -- led by wide receivers coach Keary Colbert.
"They're high [on my list]. I love Coach Colbert, that's my dude. He cares about me. Coach [Graham] Harrell, great dude, I talk to him a lot. Coach Seth Doege, they're all very good to me, and every time that they see me it's a lot of love," Williams told TrojanSports.com.
"I feel like Coach Colbert made it clear to me, and Coach Doege, that I belong at USC and they really want me there. That means a lot to me and my family, and the fact they speak to my dad and they tell him straight up where I [stand from] a recruiting standpoint."
Again, the Trojans have plenty of competition for the sure-handed and athletic wideout whose age belies his physical talents and performance.
Williams said Notre Dame is also making a very concerted effort to make him feel like he fits there as well, while Texas and Alabama are other schools piquing his interest right now.
"USC is definitely in that top 5 for all my schools. Out of all the offers I have, USC is very high on my list," he reiterated.
