Riley Williams announces for the Miami Hurricanes over ‘Bama, Ohio State

Tight end Riley Williams was a bit of an enigma during his recruiting process.

At first he was planning to take June official visits to the University of Miami, Alabama, Ohio State and Oregon, then think things over in July and announce in August. The perception was that the Ducks had a big lead.

His UM official visit the weekend of June 18 changed all that.

Two days after returning home he said he was forgoing his final visit to Oregon and announcing July 1.

The reason?

He knew he wanted to be a Cane.

Williams announcesd his commitment to the Miami Hurricanes today, solidifying UM as one of the nation’s top tight end classes even at this early juncture.

Williams joins Reid Mikeska and Jackson Carver in the class.

That means Miami has gotten three tight end commitments in the span of three weeks, with Carver’s pledge June 14 and Mikeska’s June 19.

You have to hand it to Mario Cristobal and Stephen Field, as this is a program that’s stacking a huge amount of tight end talent.

When Williams, Mikeska and Carver arrive they will join a couple of talented younger tight ends on Miami’s current roster in Jaleel Skinner (true freshman this year) and Elijah Arroyo (sophomore).

Offensive coordinator Josh Gattis has helped land this amount of talent at the position in part because he’s selling recruits on how he uses the tight ends in multiple ways … and sometimes has three of them on the field together at a time as you saw last year in his Michigan attack.

So this is a huge addition to the class and to the Canes’ offense.

Beating out Alabama and Ohio State?

Yeah, Mario Cristobal & Co. are starting to really make their mark after taking over the program in December.

As for what UM’s landed in Williams?

Perhaps his Portland (Ore.) Central Catholic high school coach, Steve Pyne (note that Williams will transfer to Bradenton IMG Academy for next season), puts it best.

“His physical ability is outstanding,” Pyne says. “He can run like a wide receiver, is physical as heck. He’s a really good point of attack blocker, really long arms and pretty good leg drive.

“He’s a multiple guy. He kind of breaks the mold, is such a physical mismatch even if he doesn’t have burning speed. I don’t know how many times this year we just threw it up to him and he’d get it 20 yards down the field. Or throw him a hitch and he breaks one tackle and goes 60 yards.”

The On3 scouting report on Williams reads “Multi-functional tight end prospect that is a mismatch in the passing game. Possesses the prototype frame and build that should be physically ready to see the field in year one. Produced at a high level reeling in 36 catches for 889 yards and 14 touchdowns as a junior. Has the ability to play as a true in-line Y, flex out in the slot or out wide as a receiver. Drives his legs on contact as a run blocker and looks to finish plays. Shows impressive twitch and the ability to separate as a route runner for someone his size. Uses his size to box out smaller defensive backs in contested catch situations. One of the best tight end talents in the country who could be primed for an early impact in college.”

CaneSport’s take

Williams gives Miami what was already an outstanding tight end class an even better one. He can line up at H-back, attached to the line or split out wide, giving the Canes a versatile threat who should cause the defense a lot of headaches down the road. Really an amazing job by Stephen Field with tight end recruiting … again.