Top Texas DT target sets July 4th decision date, big UT official visit looms
One of Texas’ top targets, defensive tackle Zion Williams, has set his announcement for July 4th. The Lufkin (Texas) mountain of a man has already taken official visits to TCU in May and LSU this past weekend. In addition to those two schools, he’ll take officials to Texas A&M and Texas June 21-23.
Given UT’s need at the position along with his talent, Williams has been one of Inside Texas’ most highly covered prospects for the 2025 cycle. IT staff made no less than four trips to East Texas to see the affable Williams.
Texas was in good early position for the interior D-lineman until Bo Davis departed Texas for his alma mater in Baton Rouge. Since that time, and including not long after he was hired, Williams has visited LSU on numerous occasions. In conversations with IT he often discusses how comfortable he feels in Louisiana and that it feels like being home in Texas.
The Longhorns are working hard to make up ground with new defensive tackles coach Kenny Baker. Baker arrived from the Miami Dolphins where he served as the assistant defensive line coach. By today’s standards where relationships begin years in advance, he received a very late start in this recruitment. The official visit in less than three weeks looms very large.
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If you look at the rankings you won’t understand the fuss around Williams. Currently he’s the No. 355 player in the On3 Industry Rankings. Only ESPN has him as a Top 300 player.
I’m reminded of T’Vondre Sweat in college but not as a high school recruit. I was very high on Sweat because I knew his projection would take him from defensive end to nose tackle. You have to adjust your expectations for how a player moves based on size. Sweat was ranked lowly because he wasn’t an explosive defensive end. That’s fine, because that wasn’t going to be his position anyway. Williams, at right around 6-foot-5, and 330 pounds isn’t going to move like someone 6-1, 300 pounds. But, with him already carrying his college weight it removes any questions over how he’ll move in college. Indeed, one coach recruiting him told IT it’s Williams’ ability to bend at his size that makes him special.
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Williams has a very high floor due to his size, run-stopping ability, and maturity. If he continues to work to reshape just a tad (he enjoys the food on those visits!), he’ll become more explosive which will inform his ceiling. College strength and conditioning will be big for him but he’s already a virtual lock to become a quality college player.
