On3 5-Star Countdown: No. 14, LB Justin Williams

On3 has updated its recruiting ranking for the 2024 class after the completion of dozens of offseason camps, as well as events like the Elite 11 Finals and Overtime 7v7 Finals. Conroe (Texas) Oak Ridge five-star linebacker Justin Williams is the No. 14 overall prospect in the 2024 On300 and a new five-star prospect, jumping up from No. 25 overall in On3’s previous ranking release.

The latest edition of On3’s 2024 rankings features 15 five-star players, up from 11 in the previous update in April. Of those 15 prospects, seven are already committed to college programs, with five-star wide receiver Cam Coleman and defensive lineman Justin Scott the latest to come off the board to Texas A&M and Ohio State, respectively.

The 6-foot-2, 210-pound Williams remains uncommitted and has taken multiple trips to both Georgia and Oregon.

The On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM) previously had Oregon as the overwhelming favorite for Williams. But two picks went in Monday morning for the Bulldogs from Georgia insider Jake Rowe and On3 national recruiting analyst Sam Spiegelman.

“Williams was on Georgia’s campus in May for an unofficial visit and it asserted itself as a big-time contender,” Rowe wrote Monday morning. “In fact, since that visit our intel has had the Bulldogs moving in the right direction for the elite talent. His high school (Oak Ridge; Conroe, Tex.) teammate, four-star defensive end Joseph Jonah-Ajonye committed to UGA last week. Those two have traveled together to different visits. They’re close.

… It doesn’t always work like this but since Jonah-Ajonye’s commitment, it seems like Georgia has picked up even more steam. This one is still close but it appears that UGA has grabbed more momentum.”

Justin Williams Scouting Summary

On3 Director of Scouting and Rankings Charles Power writes this about him as a prospect:

“The modern prototype for inside linebackers. Long and rangy player who can stack and shed incoming blockers but makes his money bringing down ball players from sideline to sideline and in the backfield with his elite first step and ability to close. Measures in at nearly 6-foot-2, 205 pounds with a 6-foot-5 wingspan. Ran an absurd electronically-timed 4.44 40-yard dash, 4.39 short shuttle and jumped a 9-foot-10 broad jump during the spring camp circuit prior to his senior season. Monster on the track running an 11.01 100m, a 23.04 200m and jumped 21-foot-3 in the long jump during his junior track and field season. 

“…Has the all the physical tools and athletic ability to be an immediate contributor at the next level. Will need to add some mass to his frame but should maintain top-tier athletic ability as he physically develops. Has the chance to become a first round NFL draft selection once his college days are over due to his rare combination of length and athletic ability for the position.”