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Florida Football Recruiting: Top 10 LB Izayia Williams can do it all

Florida has made the top five for Izayia Williams

ByBenjamin Henderson|
Nov 18, 2023; Columbia, Missouri, USA; A general view of a Florida Gators helmet against the Missouri Tigers during the game at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images
Nov 18, 2023; Columbia, Missouri, USA; A general view of a Florida Gators helmet against the Missouri Tigers during the game at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images | Denny Medley-Imagn Images

One of the positions Florida Football has done a great job of recruiting in recent years is linebacker. The class of 2024 brought in Myles Graham and Aaron Chiles, while Florida also landed thumper Ty Jackson in their class of 2025.

The Gators are still in hot pursuit of one of the top linebackers of the class of 2026 and are still in his top five he dropped yesterday.

Florida Football: If There Is A Williams, There Is A Way

When we last profiled Izayia Williams in August, he had just decommited from Syracuse and was considered a 99% lean to Florida by On3. At the time he was a top 50 overall prospect by On3 and ESPN, while 247 had him in the top 150 and Rivals had him as a three-star.

We also said at the time about Williams based on his sophomore film that:

"Based on film, the top 50 proclamation feels justified as Williams is a wrecking ball on the field. Williams is simply too fast and too strong for his opponents to be able to effectively gameplan against. Pulling guards can't get to him in time, tackles have no chance when he speed rushes, and good luck to any wide receiver who tries to block him on a screen."

We also noted at the time that:

"Like all linebackers, he'll have to showcase his ability to read the game at a high level in order to continue progressing."

Well, based on his junior film, all the athletic traits are still present, while his read of the game feels top-notch. Williams can blitz if asked, stay in the hole to bring down a running back if needed, or drop into coverage and cause problems. Even when QBs think they have a lane to escape, Williams drives downhill and shuts that down too.

So, while his Rivals grade did bump up to a four-star, his 247 ranking has dropped to 231st, and that just seems silly.

Williams did wind up committing to FSU back in September, but given the dumpster fire that the Seminoles are, he backed off that commitment in November.

His current top five include FSU, Georgia, Alabama, Penn State, and Florida.

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