Amaris Williams de-commits from Florida, flips to Auburn
Four-star edge rusher Amaris Williams of Clinton (N.C.) has de-committed from Florida and flipped to Auburn.
Williams, the No. 2 prospect in North Carolina, had not been firm with his commitment to the Gators for a few months, so this development comes as little surprise. At various points in his recruitment, Penn State and Ohio State also led but in the end he has chosen the Tigers, whom he officially visited earlier this month.
In a November interview with Gators Online at his school, Williams expressed concerns about Florida.
“(The Gators) haven’t been winning games,” Williams said at the time. “Winning is one. Developing is another. The other schools I talk to, I don’t feel like (the Gators) develop as much as those schools. I feel would have a better chance at making it the league, being a better player overall.”
At that time, he called Ohio State his leader. But he menioned there was a mystery team involved, which he declined to name.
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Two weeks later, Gators Online learned — and broke the news — Auburn was that other team.
Williams committed to the Gators on June 17 during his official visit to Gainesville. Entering that trip, many believed Penn State to be the favorite.
He visited the Gators again in July and then for a game.
After that game, his first at The Swamp, Williams noted, “I’m very locked in with Florida. I wouldn’t put a percent on it, but I’m very locked. I’d probably say like 95 (percent).”
He then said he was “75 percent” sure he wouldn’t visit anywhere but Florida.
But the following month, he showed up at Ohio State. Later, he planned a trip to Gainesville for another game, but was a no-show after claiming he missed his flight.
Despite these noteworthy red flags, the Gators pressed on.
Through it all, Williams continued to praise the Florida coaching staff, which attended one of his games, then visited him three consecutive weeks during the December contact period. Gators coach Billy Napier was in North Carolina to see Williams last week.
“I love them. I love Coach (Mike Peterson),” Williams told Gators Online. “He’s a great guy. He was in the league for a long time so he obviously knows what he’s talking about. Caoch (Austin) Armstrong, he’s a funny guy. I love our relationship. And Coach (Jay) Bateman. He was actually the first coach to reach out to me. So we’ve had a relationship for a long time now.”
