Nation's No.2 safety Derek Williams names top 8

Four-star safety Derek Williams of New Iberia (LA) Westgate High has narrowed his list to eight schools–Texas, Miami, Texas A&M, LSU, Alabama, Oklahoma, Clemson, and Michigan.

The 6-foot-3, 185 pounder went in-depth on his finalists.

Texas

“Real early in my career The University of Texas has shown a growing interest in my game. I was invited to a camp where i had the chance to get some great work in and showcase my talents. The love the Texas coaching staff emphasizes is second to none when it comes to making a player at home. They do a great job of making me feel wanted. My family and teammates love the vibes also so those guys trusting the college brings a feeling of security to my heart in terms of being successful later on and life and that’s what it’s all about.”

Miami

“I’ve always had an eye for Miami growing up as a young athlete i can’t lie. As i grew familiarity with their style of play my interest grew also. Coach Christobal is a great guy and he’s in the works of developing a top notch program and I would love to be apart of something like that.”

Texas A&M

“The atmosphere around there is crazy. We all have seen their out of this world facility so i know that i will get everything top pf the line from coaching all the way down to great rehabilitation to stay healthy. Texas bring a great environment with their recruiting and it’s hard to not notice when it came down to my top 8 selection.”

LSU

“This school will always be special because it’s home. Being born and raised in Louisiana it’s an honor to be a tiger. I have an Alumni teammate that broke an SEC record against Ole Miss there. (Kayshon Boutte) And i know I would love to follow in his footsteps along his path to great. They’ve worked me really hard and i know it would be amazing to be a big role on a great team from my hometown.”

Alabama

“Coach Saban is a known legend and he’s known for winning football games. He and his players among the year set a great standard throughout college football and i know that there’s a great possibility of winning national championships and seeing a career after college. The coaches have been putting in great time recruiting me and i know that i will be highly valued.”

Oklahoma

“To potentially become a sooner is something kids dream about all over the world and i was one of those kids. Me and coach Venables has grown a healthy relationship in which he has been recruiting me and i know he will hold me to a dominant standard to help me get to where i want to be. The way they play ball over there is different and i think im a different kind of athlete to match their standards.”

Clemson

“Coach Conn has been a really heavy recruiter on me for sometime now and there’s no doubt in my heart that this man wouldn’t give it his all to watch me accomplish my goals. Clemson is known for producing great athletes and i can’t help but want to be next. They also have personalized educated with powerful results which gives me an outlook outside of sports to still find success if the field doesn’t work out.”

Michigan

“On my unofficial visit i loved the atmosphere there. Coach Bellamy does a great job of building that personal connection with me which is special. He flies out frequently to games and practices to catch up with me and Michigan isn’t close to Louisiana! Those guys have a unique brand of football that they play over there and it’s an honor to be given a chance to play there.”

Derek Williams Scouting Summary 

“Physical safety who plays with a knock-your-head-off mentality. Has tremendous position versatility on the defensive side of the ball as a back seven defender,” On3’s Director of Scouting Charles Power wrote. “Shows off his explosiveness and overall athleticism on the basketball court and as a running back on offense. Flies downhill and runs the alley as good as any prospect in the 2023 cycle.”

“Lines up as a corner, center field safety, down in the box as a backer and occasionally off the edge as a pass rusher. High upside player that will need to continue to physically develop into his frame due to being one of the younger defensive backs in his class.”

Williams ranks as the No. 44 player in the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that accounts for all four major recruiting sites. He also tabs in as the No. 5 safety and the No. 3 player in the state of Louisiana.