James

Williams

Most expect Williams to move to linebacker, but the Titans announced him as a safety. After only three seasons at Miami, Williams (6'4/231) declared for the draft with a year of eligibility left in his pocket. He played a traditional safety role for the Hurricanes while earning an 85.4 PFF grade in coverage, but he projects better as a box player at the NFL level. As a safety, some of his most impressive moments were as a run defender, earning a 64.8 PFF grade in the area. The former five-star prep star flows well towards the action and often met the ball carrier with authority, but would benefit by filling with more decisiveness. His 78 tackles in 2023 and “poor” speed profile for a safety mean that a potential switch to nickel linebacker may be where he succeeds in the NFL. While Williams continues to add weight and improve his skill set, a special teams coach will have plenty of fun utilizing him. With a year of development, he could slide in on defense and be a competitor for snaps in nickel packages.

Williams (6'5"/218) folding back into Miami’s 2021 class, here, after decommiting from the program last May. The five-star Opa Locka, Florida, native is likely ticketed to playing safety at the collegiate level with the ‘Canes. Georgia was the other finalist in this race. It’s a stinger for the Bulldogs, especially considering that Williams was in Athens just this past weekend. As for what Miami’s getting on the field, 247Sports’ Barton Simmons loosely compares Williams’ game and upside to that of Isaiah Simmons. Hey now. On the outlet’s composite board, Williams lands as the No. 9 overall prospect in the 2021 class. We’ll see if Miami can carry this one home to the winter now that he’s once more committed.

Williams (6'5/218) was committed to Miami for over a year before backing off that pledge last May. The Hurricanes remain in the hunt, here, along with UGA, Clemson, Alabama and Auburn. Wiltfong notes that the Bulldogs have done well with the Opa Locka, Florida, native to this juncture, as Williams has “a strong relationship with Kirby Smart and defensive backs coach Charlton Warren.” On the 247Sports composite board, Williams lands as the No. 5 overall prospect in the 2021 class. He is an aggressive, physical defensive back with possible upside toward a Day 1 selection depending on his collegiate career plays out in the years ahead.

Williams is considered to be not just the top safety in the 2021 class, but the 6-foot-5, 218-pound defender is ranked 11th overall in the 247 Sports composite rankings for the class. He made the decision on Twitter, and while he said he will “forever bleed orange and green” he is now considering schools like Alabama, Ohio State, Florida and Georgia.