Massive mid-Atlantic offensive lineman Jauan Williams remains uncommitted weeks into his senior season, presenting possibilities for several interested college coaching staffs.
The 6'7", 303-pound prospect from Washington, D.C., picked up an array of scholarship offers as an underclassman, quickly developing a list of collegiate opportunities that now tops 40 teams. Williams, rated 15th nationally among offensive tackle recruits in 2016, is a dominant blocker who is still in the early stages of his development as a consistent bookend.
Though there isn't a specific timetable in place for Williams' decision, he continues to work through an expansive process. A trio of perennial powerhouse programs appear to be situated ahead of the pack, per Ryan Bartow of 247Sports.
"Alabama, Florida State, LSU, those main three right now," Williams said.
Both the Seminoles and Crimson Tide have hosted him on campus, while LSU aims to schedule his first trip to Baton Rouge. All three teams share a commonality in this recruitment, establishing strong rapports between the big man and offensive line coaches.
Mario Cristobal (Alabama), Rick Trickett (Florida State) and Jeff Grimes (LSU) are highly respected leaders in the trenches. Each also excels on the recruiting trail, and Williams is the latest talented target in their crosshairs.
While no official visits are expected until after the season, it appears all three schools are in solid shape to appear on Williams' travel itinerary.
That phase of his recruitment is especially important for the Tigers.
Players and their families are far more inclined to lean toward a university after an impressive on-campus experience. Alabama and Florida State already passed that test, while the Tigers will look to provide a welcoming environment when Williams comes to town.
The Archbishop Carroll High School standout has high hopes for what awaits.
"[Grimes is] recruiting me really hard. He’s consistent. He tells me to get down to campus," Williams told Bartow. "My uncle went down to visit LSU, because his daughter had a game, and he told me the campus is great and that I should take a visit, and I said I would."
LSU and Alabama both remain in the mix for top-rated offensive tackle Gregory Little, who decommitted from Texas A&M this summer. The 5-star recruit is likely to use official visits at each SEC rival.
Florida State aims to pair Williams with No. 1 overall 2016 center Baveon Johnson, who dominated during a busy offseason camp circuit and looks like an eventual multiyear Seminoles starter at center.
Williams would certainly face stiff depth chart competition at any of these schools, though he possesses the physical stature and unpolished promise to develop into a legitimate candidate for reps within his first two college seasons.
Bleacher Report National Recruiting Analyst Sanjay Kirpalani explored Williams' potential while studying offensive tackle prospects for B/R's CFB Recruiting 200 series:
Williams is raw at this stage of his career. In the limited clips of him working in passing situations, his pass-pro sets are not exactly what you would call fundamentally sound. With that said, he has the physical ability and athleticism to develop into a stud tackle down the road. He's quick off the ball with a mean streak to boot.
Few linemen arrive at college ready to compete for immediate playing time, and a period of growth may be required at any of Williams' three perceived favorites. His alternative options include closely located Maryland and Virginia Tech, along with Florida, Georgia and Nebraska.
Florida State, LSU and Alabama are a step ahead at this stage, but with official visits likely months away, expect this high-profile prospect pursuit to extend deep into winter.
All recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports unless otherwise noted. Follow Tyler Donohue via Twitter @TDsTake.
via http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2566985-which-teams-hold-edge-in-pursuit-of-4-star-recruit-jauan-williams
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