Missouri 4-star DL commit Elias Williams shuts down recruitment

With National Signing Day just over three weeks away, decommitment and flip season is well underway on the recruiting trail.

Hudson (Fla.) four-star defensive lineman and Missouri commit Elias Williams has been a flip target for a majority of the fall. The rumor mill has swirled around the 6-foot-4, 275-pounder, as the likes of Alabama and Tennessee have pushed hard to pull him away from his pledge to the Tigers.

Williams put an end to the rumors on Tuesday, announcing that he is shutting his recruitment down and will remain committed to Eli Drinkwitz and Mizzou:

I want to thank Alabama, Tennessee, USC, and Florida State for recruiting me. After talking with my family and through prayer. I am shutting my recruitment down! FULLY committed to the Zou! @CoachDrinkwitz @coach_peoples @MaureyBland6 pic.twitter.com/tvqMVwliSg

— Elias williams (@Elias59361169) November 28, 2023

“I want to thank Alabama, Tennessee, USC, and Florida State for recruiting me. After talking with my family and through prayer. I am shutting my recruitment down! FULLY committed to the Zou,” Williams wrote.

Williams is the No. 449 overall prospect in the 2024 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. On3 ranks Williams much higher than other recruiting services, as he checks in as the No. 158 recruit and No. 13 DL in the On300.

He was one of the biggest risers in the November update of the On300, drawing great praise from On3 national scout Cody Bellaire in the process:

“Elias Williams has always been a freak along the defensive line from a physical standpoint. His 6-foot-10 wingspan and 10-inch hands allow him to carry immense weight in his frame and he has shown during his senior season that not only can he add the necessary weight to play along the interior at the next level, but he can also still move around like the EDGE prospect we originally projected him to play at the next level. Players with that size with those movement skills are rare and we expect Williams to thrive under collegiate coaching at the next level.”

As a junior last fall, Williams was credited with 51 tackles (13.5 for loss), 29 hurries, 2 forced fumbles and 7 sacks. He is one of the Tigers’ five highest-ranked commits in their 2024 class, which ranks 29th in the nation, per the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Ranking.

The class is headlined by Lee’s Summit (Mo.) North Five-Star Plus+ EDGE Williams Nwaneri, the top-ranked prospect in the On3 Industry Ranking. Other top commits include JUCO offensive tackle Jayven Richardson, Jonesboro (Ark.) Valley View four-star linebacker Brian Huff and Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) St. Thomas Aquinas three-star wide receiver James Madison II.