4-star safety Maurice Williams decommits from LSU Tigers

Bellaire (Texas) Shadow Creek four-star safety Maurice Williams has decommitted from LSU. He was previously pledged to the Tigers since June 18, 2022.

Williams is the No. 118 overall prospect and No. 6 safety in the 2024 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He is also the No. 24 player in Texas.

“Dear LSU Admissions and Athletics Department, I am writing to inform you that I have decided to decommit from Louisiana State University,” Williams wrote in a message published to Instagram. “After careful consideration, I have realized that LSU is not the best fit for me at this time.

“I want to express my sincere appreciation for the time and effort that the LSU coaching staff and admissions team have spent recruiting me. I have the utmost respect for the university and the program, but I have come to the conclusion that it is in my best interest to explore my options.”

A new program is trending to land Williams

The 5-foot-11.5, 182-pound recruit was previously the second-highest-ranked prospect in LSU’s 2024 recruiting class. The Tigers’ group now contains 18 players and ranks No. 13 in the 2024 On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings, as well as No. 6 in the SEC.

Williams is the second player to back off his pledge to head coach Brian Kelly and his staff this month. Pickerington (Ohio) Pickerington Central four-star tight end Tayvion Galloway decommitted from LSU on June 11.

For more LSU recruiting intel, check out The Bengal Tiger.

Following Williams’ decision, Houston has a commanding lead to land him. According to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine, the Cougars’ odds for the four-star defensive back are at 90.7%.

If Williams chooses Houston, he would be the highest-ranked prospect in the Cougars’ 2024 recruiting class. It currently contains three players: Austin (Texas) Westlake three-star wide receiver Heath McRee, Pearland (Texas) Shadow Creek three-star EDGE Zion Taylor and Angleton (Texas) safety Jaden Pettway.

Kelly and Co. still have pledges from multiple blue-chip recruits, including some ranked in the top 250 of the On3 Industry Ranking. They include Jackson (La.) East Feliciana four-star tight end Trey’Dez Green, Denham Springs (La.) four-star safety Dashawn McBryde, Destrehan (La.) four-star linebacker Kolaj Cobbins, Nashville (Tenn.) CPA four-star cornerback Ondre Evans, Lafayette (La.) Lafayette Christian Academy four-star cornerback Ju’Juan Johnson, Jonesboro (La.) Summer Creek four-star linebacker Xavier Atkins and Fairburn (Ga.) Langston Hughes four-star wide receiver Joseph Stone.