'23 CB Carl Williams IV hearing from Kentucky as stock rises

A couple of months ago, Carl Williams IV was receiving very little — if any — Divison I interest. Fast forward to late May and the rising senior now holds several Power 5 offers and has made quite the name for himself on the recruiting trail.

Kentucky, led by defensive backs coach Chris Collins, offered the 6-foot, 170-pound cornerback on Tuesday. It marked his 12th college scholarship, all of which he’s earned since late March. At first, it was smaller schools such as Louisiana Tech and Grambling, but not before long, the likes of Baylor, Vanderbilt, Missouri, and Kentucky all began to reach out with offers.

Williams visited Baylor for the Bears Spring Game earlier this spring. He holds additional offers from the likes of Tulane and Troy, as well.

Playing his high school ball at Southern Lab down in Baton Rouge, LA, Williams credits his blow-up to an impressive outing at a Rivals camp in late March where he earned co-MVP honors among all defensive backs. He splits time at wide receiver with Southern Lab, but fully intends to play defensive back at the next level.

“The past few weeks, it’s been crazy. I’m blessed though to be in this position, but it’s kinda crazy,” Williams told KSR on Tuesday about his rise in stock.

Great day at rivals won runner up-mvp at DB @RivalsCamp @KenAnioJr @RecruitLouisian @samspiegs @JeritRoser @iRecruitDaBoot #upnextSOON pic.twitter.com/Kq1Q51MXT7

— Carl Williams IV (@carlwilliamsIV) March 27, 2022

Kentucky has been staying in touch with Williams for over a month now. Shortly after earning his UK offer, he told KSR that he was expecting an offer to eventually come from the ‘Cats, but it was a shock at the time when he got the news. He’s building a relationship with Coach Collins and is looking to set up an unofficial visit to Lexington this summer. Williams fits the mold of a speedy DB that the staff is emphasizing.

So far, Williams has just two of his five available official visits locked in for the summer. He’ll take a trip to Indiana June 17-19 before returning to Baylor the last week of June. The rising senior wants to be committed before his final high school season begins this fall.

“To be honest I’m just looking for the real,” Williams said. “You don’t gotta lie, you don’t gotta sugar coat, you don’t gotta build up this persona or whatever. You can just be for real and that’s what I like… Somewhere I can be myself.”

Will Kentucky be that spot?