The Class of 2016 added two defensive backs and one athlete who could play cornerback to the UGA roster. That means the position will get increased attention in the next cycle.
None of that matters with Archer 4-star cornerback Jamyest Williams. The Athens native plans to be at UGA on Feb. 20 and is also planning a Florida State trip this month.
“I just want to see how I feel at these schools,” Williams said. “I need to see how much of a priority I might be to these programs.”
UGA has already answered that question for him. The nation’s No. 52 overall player told DawgNation he speaks with defensive coordinator Mel Tucker almost every day.
“He’s kind of a laid-back guy,” Williams said. “He knows the game and he also wants to see how much you know the game to help you improve as well.”
He also spoke to UGA head coach Kirby Smart on the day before National Signing Day and Tennessee’s Butch Jones on National Signing Day. Notre Dame also reached out to Williams last week.
Richard LeCounte III, a 5-star UGA commit for 2017, has Williams high on his wish list for the class.
“He keeps telling me UGA is home and ‘why would you leave the state to play’ and ‘Georgia is a great place to be’ every time we talk,” Williams said. “He said he enjoys himself every time he goes there.”
What does a guy say to that type of pitch from a peer?
“I just say ‘i feel ya’ and tell him that ‘Athens was my hometown and I have seen it my whole life’ when we talk about Georgia,” Williams said.
The 171-pounder will “most likely” enroll early in college next January. Williams is so skilled he’d be an asset regardless of whether or not the UGA staff needs to sign two defensive backs in this class or six or seven. He’s a shade under 5-foot-9 but the same thinking holds true. If you can add a player like Williams to your program, you do so and then pump your fist afterward.
Williams told DawgNation that UGA “would most certainly be” among his top five schools, but isn’t sure where his top schools stack up higher than that.
There are at least a couple other schools which have caught his eye as both an academic and athletic fit. He plans to major in communication or business management.
“I just know this recruiting process will be a hard decision,’ Williams said.
He feels UGA, Clemson, Florida State, Notre Dame, Southern Cal and Tennessee would be in his top group.
“I would try to sell me first of all on the education and then how much love they show,” Williams said. “It is all about love. If they don’t show you how much they want you then that wouldn’t be the right fit. You want to go to a school that shows you the most love and you talk to a lot and have the best relationship with.”
The nation’s No. 5 athlete sounds intrigued by the thought of playing at Clemson.
“Coach (Dabo) Swinney is a great guy,” Williams said. “It is just a family atmosphere there with how they build up everything and train their players is great. Coach Swinney reminds me of (Archer coach Andy Dyer) with how he is.”
His close friend, EJ Price, just signed with USC. Williams feels he won’t camp as much this year as he did last summer. Just the big ones. He might go work out at a USC camp so that school can get to know him better.
“I talked to coach Tee Martin over there and he tells me how it is such a family atmosphere over there,” he said. “I just want to go somewhere I can feel at home and not worry about fitting in after I make my decision. I don’t want to have to worry about my decision was the right choice or not after I make it.”
Check out his tape below. You’ll stop wondering about the 5-foot-9 thing after a few clips.
Unless otherwise indicated, player rankings and ratings are from the 247Sports Composite.
Jeff Sentell covers UGA football and UGA recruiting for AJC.com and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Follow him on Twitter for the latest on who’s on their way to play Between the Hedges.
