Making the case: Jamyest Williams
With National Signing Day less than a week away, the majority of the nation's top recruits are already committed. But a few remain undecided, and a few commits are wavering on their choices.
Today, experts from the Rivals.com network examine where four-star athlete Jamyest Williams might end up playing his college football. The candidates are South Carolina, where he’s been committed since the fall, and Georgia.
MAKING THE CASE: Marvin Wilson
The Situation: Williams refers to himself as an Athens native, and early on many believed he would end up with the Bulldogs by the time his recruitment ended. But after taking several visits to schools around the country, Williams committed to South Carolina in the fall. After he was expected to take several visits following that commitment, only Georgia was able to get him to officially visit. By all accounts that went well and now he’s headed into this weekend’s South Carolina visit undecided. So how will it all shake out? We asked our team experts to state the case for their respective programs and National Recruiting Director Mike Farrell issued a verdict.
Georgia: “When it comes to familiarity with those around him, I'm not sure any school comes close to what Georgia can offer Jamyest Williams. He's a longtime friend of players such as Richard LeCounte, Deangelo Gibbs, Jaden Hunter, Jeremiah Holloman, William Poole and, honestly, the rest of the commit list. He's from the Athens area originally, has a great deal of family and friends still there, and he's visited Georgia about as many times as anyone in recent memory. From a positional standpoint, he'd walk into a favorable depth chart at the cornerback position, and his versatility and playmaking ability on offense would make him a natural fit to take the place of Isaiah McKenzie, who has declared for the NFL draft.” – Jake Reuse, UGASports.com
South Carolina: “It's important to remember that it's Georgia that's been playing catch-up in this situation. The in-state program has certainly made a significant push as of late, but South Carolina's long-time prioritization of Williams has paid off even in the face of that pressure. Williams has spoken often behind the scenes of wanting to get away from home, plus his relationship with defensive coordinator Travaris Robinson and head coach Will Muschamp is strong. South Carolina's staff has a strong record in producing top-flight defensive backs, and the Gamecocks quietly made a big ascension back in the summer when most assumed Georgia or Clemson would end up landing him. Georgia has given him a lot to think about, but with the final official visit in Columbia wrapping just three days prior to signing day, odds are better he sticks with South Carolina.” – Chris Clark, GamecockCentral.com
The verdict: "I think he sticks with South Carolina. He has a good rapport with the coaches, he's being recruited by some top-level recruiters and being recruited as heavily as anyone, and they have outlined a good plan for him. It wouldn't stun me if he flipped, but I think he sticks." – Mike Farrell, National Recruiting Director, Rivals.com
