Ole Miss lands Georgia DB Demarko Williams
THE SITUATION: Towards the end of January, Atlanta (Ga.) Westlake defensive back Demarko Williams committed to South Carolina. The pledge he gave to the Gamecocks surprised many at the time. He stayed with South Carolina for just over two months before re-opening his recruitment March 27.
About three weeks prior to his decommitment, Ole Miss came in with an offer. The Rebels turned the heat up over the last three months and it paid off. Lane Kiffin and the staff in Oxford picked up the commitment from Williams and the Rebels landed a physical, aggressive athlete to play in the secondary.
IN HIS OWN WORDS: "I picked Ole Miss over Florida State and Pittsburgh," said Williams. "From the start, right after they offered me, Ole Miss had great energy. They stayed on me hard, the love is real, it stayed consistent and everything they were doing and saying felt real to me.
"Over the last couple months, they were texting me every day, we talked a lot and they always checked on me and my family. What coaches are supposed to do, they do it, and they do it well. They showed me a lot of attention.
"I have known for a while it would be Ole Miss. I have been leaning that way for a while. I probably made the decision in my mind about a month ago. I talked to other schools for a little while, but I have known it was Ole Miss.
"I have not visited yet, but I have talked to the coaches a lot and I have gotten the virtual tour. They showed me a lot about the school and what they want to do there. I want to play for a winning staff and I believe in this staff. I like coach Partridge a lot. Coach Kiffin is a great guy. Ole Miss has strong academics and I know it is a great school for me.
"Coach Kiffin is the head coach and he has been recruiting me hard. We talk every week and he is a very uplifting person. He has energy, he cares about his players and he is a winner. I am excited to play for him.
"I told Ole Miss about my decision last Tuesday. It was kind of crazy. I called coach Partridge at 1:30am ET. When he answered the phone and there were no questions about that time of the call, he was cool. I knew it would surprise him, but that is when I called and gave him the news I was committing. Even though it was early in the morning, he said he was excited.
"This commitment is different than the one to South Carolina. I rushed my first commitment. This one I feel is right. This is the best place for me and I know Ole Miss will help me in the long run.
"I am happy to get recruiting over with and focus on getting better as a player. I am ready to grow up as a player, play in the SEC and become a man at Ole Miss. I know the coaches will be there to help me develop and I can't wait."
WHO IT HURTS MOST: Pittsburgh is the school that was on Williams the hardest when he made his decision, and the Panthers love to recruit the state of Georgia, so this is a loss for them. They picked up a commitment from Khalil Anderson late last week, and he was another Atlanta area target, so there was good news before Williams announced his decision.
WHAT OLE MISS IS GETTING: Williams is one of those defensive backs that can project at anywhere in the secondary. He played free safety as a junior, he is projected as a cornerback on Rivals, but could play the Nickel/Star position at Ole Miss. He is built like a cornerback, and can be a physical player at that position, but Ole Miss will be able to work him anywhere in the secondary. What stands out most about Williams is his aggression. He is always on the attack. He is not scared to come down hill and play the run. He is strong in one-on-one tackles and he will lay the big hit when the opportunity presents itself. Ball skills are also a strength of his. He has played a lot of wide receiver in the past and those hands show on the defensive side of the ball. He takes good angles to the ball, he plays hard and the Rebels are landing a versatile defensive back that plays strong competition out of the Atlanta area.