Leonard Williams is one of the top recruits in the country. The defensive end from Daytona Beach Mainland (Fla.) is an impressive 6’5 and 255 pounds. He holds offers from most of the top schools in the country. And while a few of those schools might have filled up, Williams still has plenty of options. After Williams’ impressive week at the Under Armour All-America event, SB Nation caught up with him recently to find out what’s new with his recruitment.
Could Brian VanGorder Hire Sway Leonard Williams To Auburn?
Leonard Williams is one of the fastest rising recruits in the country. Where will he commit?
SBN: Do you have a top group of schools you’re currently considering?
Williams: “Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Miami and USC. My top three is Auburn, Florida and Florida State. They’ve been on me the hardest, showing me their strengths.”
SBN: Auburn is currently without a defensive coordinator. Do you have anyone you’d like to see them hire? In what kind of defensive scheme do you want to play?
Williams: “I don’t know who I would want them to hire, but I know if they’re going to hire somebody I want him to be a 4-3 coach because that’s what defense I fit and that’s the main reason they’re in my top right now. ”
Update: One major development since I spoke with Williams is Auburn’s hire of defensive coordintor Brian VanGorder. VanGorder runs a 4-3 defense, and was one of the most successful defensive coordinators in the SEC in the last two decades. His system has everything that Williams is looking for in a defense.
SBN: So as long as they base from a 4-3, you’d be alright, even if they run some 3-4 like Florida?
Williams: “Yeah, as long as they run a 4-3 I’ll be good.”
SBN: What did you learn about Florida State when you visited the Seminoles for bowl practice?
Williams: “I saw their style of coaching, how they practice and their defense.”
Williams was a fan of the Gators growing up, and says he is close with defensive line coach Bryant Young. Despite that, he didn’t have a definitive date for a visit to Gainesville.
Williams visited Auburn on October 14th, is visiting Florida State the weekend of January 13th, followed by visits to USC on the 20th and Miami on the 27th. Williams was a fan of the Gators growing up, and says he is close with defensive line coach Bryant Young. Despite that, he didn’t have a definitive date for a visit to Gainesville. He did say, however, that he plans to visit Florida. It’s possible he’ll visit Florida instead of USC or Miami, or visit during the week.
Expect Williams to sign on National Signing Day (February 1st). Auburn insiders are very confident in the Tigers’ chances, but with four remaining visits, anything can happen.
