'15 FL ATH Dexter Williams (Notre Dame Signed NLI)

[ab2cmiller]

Dexter Williams still considering Miami, will visit Notre Dame, Texas A&M - Orlando Sentinel

In hindsight, Dexter Williams says he probably should have handled his decommitment from the University of Miami a little differently.

In fact, had he contacted coaches and expressed his concerns, the West Orange running back might still be committed to the Hurricanes 2015 recruiting class.

As it stands however, Williams, who announced his decommitment from 'The U' via his Twitter account Jan. 2, remains open in his recruiting process with the Hurricanes still very much alive among those teams he is still considering. He will visit Notre Dame this weekend and plans a trip to Texas A&M next week, with his remaining visit to be determined, likely between Marshall and Arkansas. He has already visited Miami and Louisville with his other official trips.

"Things got real crazy there for a while," Williams said in his first interview since his Tweet stirred up 'Canes fans everywhere. "I had to kind of lay low for a while and I wasn't doing any interviews. ... I just had to let things cool down for a while.

"I really decommitted from Miami because I was kind of worried about the coach's job, but I still have a lot of interest in Miami, knowing that things are still secure down there."

Williams said he still talks to "every single one of the coaches" at Miami and that head coach Al Golden and main recruiters Hurlie Brown and James Coley, as well as Kareem Brown, often are in his ear.

"They were all just asking me about what made me decommit and they just were saying that I should have called and did it over the phone with them [instead of Twitter]," Williams said. "I thought the same thing and that they were right. ... I should have.

"They were just basically saying don't forget us and they've been coming harder and harder. They are saying, 'Stay home and play in your own backyard and help bring Miami back.' "

Many figured Williams' decommitment had something to do with what could be seen as a crowded backfield with the 2015 crop since running backs Jordan Scarlett of Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas and Mark Walton of Miami Booker T. Washington are also pledged to the 'Canes. Williams, however, said he still talks often with both Scarlett and Walton about the trio helping bring back the glory days of the old Miami, which won national titles in 1983, 1987, 1989, 1991 and 2001.

"We actually talk a lot about Miami, about trying to bring it back and we still talk about the same thing," Williams said. "They ask me if I'm still going to come to Miami and I've been telling them that I talk to Miami a lot and that I still have interest in Miami and they're just hoping I come back so we can get this thing going again."

Things have gotten even more interesting since Williams' announcement. Top Miami running back Duke Johnson has declared for early entry to the NFL and Scarlett has said he is now "85 percent committed," and will be visiting Florida and Florida State in the final weeks before National Signing Day.

So the schools still in the hunt with Williams are Miami, Notre Dame, Texas A&M, Louisville, Arkansas and Marshall. He'll make his commitment likely before National Signing Day, but his plan is to only inform the coaching staff of the school he chooses. He'll make his decision public Feb. 4.

A Florida Gators fan growing up, Williams said he talked briefly with new head coach Jim McElwain, but UF is not in the picture at this time.

"Getting on the field ... playing time will be a big part of it, the depth chart will be a big part also, and then just being comfortable with where I'm at," Williams said of what it will take to win him over. "And also just knowing that I'm with a coach who really cares and is going to push me to my full potential.

"I'm feeling pretty good. It's starting to get a little tough because time is running out, but I'm just patiently putting everything in God's hands."

Teammate and slot back Jalen Julius will also be visiting Notre Dame this weekend. West Orange had its best season ever this year, posting an 11-1 record.

Williams ran for 871 yards and 10 touchdowns on 124 carries his senior season. He transferred to West Orange from Orlando Olympia High, where he ran for 1,072 yards and three touchdowns on 180 carries as a junior.

Chris Hays is the Sentinel's recruiting coverage coordinator and can be reached at chays@tribune.com. Follow us on Twitter at @Os_Recruiting and Facebook at OS Recruiting, and on Instagram at os_recruiting.

 

[koonja]

Was Alford on his flight in the bend? They just posted the same pic from a plane and it wasn't a retweet.

 

[Luckylucci]

Per Loy, Alford flies down to meet with Dexter and then flies back to ND with Dexter. They are putting on the full court press for this kid. I'd say pretty good planning by ND.

 

[GoldenDomer]

Per Loy, Alford flies down to meet with Dexter and then flies back to ND with Dexter as well. They are putting on the full court press for this kid.

Sounds like unique treatment. How often does that sort of thing happen?

 

[Luckylucci]

Sounds like unique treatment. How often does that sort of thing happen?

Not sure I have an accurate answer but I haven't personally heard of it happening too often.

 

[Domina Nostra]

Not sure I have an accurate answer but I haven't personally heard of it happening too often.

I've never heard of it, but that doesn't mean it doesn't happen.

 

[ThePiombino]

Per Loy, Alford flies down to meet with Dexter and then flies back to ND with Dexter. They are putting on the full court press for this kid. I'd say pretty good planning by ND.

I hope BK will be back on campus to greet him this weekend.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

I hope BK will be back on campus to greet him this weekend.

Bk isnt on campus?


Sent via tapatalk

 

[NDPhilly]

If we get Dexter Williams the offense for the foreseeable future has no excuse to not be great. Loaded everywhere. Awesome job by the staff.

 

[Luckylucci]

Per Irish 247, BK will be on campus for the scheduled meetings with visitors on Sunday. He will be stopping in New Jersey to see Wimbush (very important) and will be back in time for the OV's

 

[Rack Em]

If we get Dexter Williams the offense for the foreseeable future has no excuse to not be great. Loaded everywhere. Awesome job by the staff.

Because he can pass block?

I'm not excited for any RB until BK actually uses one consistently.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

[ QUOTE=Luckylucci;1474010]Per Irish 247, BK will be on campus for the scheduled meetings with visitors on Sunday. He will be stopping in New Jersey to see Wimbush (very important) and will be back in time for the OV's[/QUOTE]

Wish he was on campus this weekend and visited jersey during the week.



Sent via tapatalk

 

[Domina Nostra]

Because he can pass block?

I'm not excited for any RB until BK actually uses one consistently.

C'mon!!!!! Why ignore 2010 USC game, 2011 Jonas/Wood dynamic duo, 2012 clutch Riddick, Folston LSU, etc....

Kelly is not run-averse, even if he gets pass-happy from time to time.

 

[Luckylucci]

So per Irish247, Kelly is to meet with Wimbush on friday night. He is then expected back in South Bend for the weekend, sunday visits with OV's. Then headed on Sunday to meet with Josh Adams. My first post was off memory and clearly that was a little foggy

 

[Rack Em]

C'mon!!!!! Why ignore 2010 USC game, 2011 Jonas/Wood dynamic duo, 2012 clutch Riddick, Folston LSU, etc....

Kelly is not run-averse, even if he gets pass-happy from time to time.

Those are isolated events in the grand scheme. Cam McDaniel was playing considerably this season because "he could pass block." That had a hugely adverse affect on our running game. Recruits apparently took notice.

 

[Crazy Balki]

Those are isolated events in the grand scheme. Cam McDaniel was playing considerably this season because "he could pass block." That had a hugely adverse affect on our running game. Recruits apparently took notice.

McDaniel played considerably this season, because he was our leading rusher last season. It's not like Folston was completely neglected and they fed him the ball more and more as the season went on. And two seasons of legitimately good running games are not isolated events, they're a huge chunk of Kelly proving he can run the ball well.

 

[Domina Nostra]

Those are isolated events in the grand scheme. Cam McDaniel was playing considerably this season because "he could pass block." That had a hugely adverse affect on our running game. Recruits apparently took notice.

They probably took notice of us losing 5 of our last 6.

2011 and 2012 were not isolated events. I agree that he needs to run it more. But I don't think he wastes RBs.

 

[Rack Em]

McDaniel played considerably this season, because he was our leading rusher last season. It's not like Folston was completely neglected and they fed him the ball more and more as the season went on. And two seasons of legitimately good running games are not isolated events, they're a huge chunk of Kelly proving he can run the ball well.

Just because he was the leading rusher last year, doesn't mean he's the best RB. Folston turned it on later in the season, you're right. But was that a function of purely more playing time, better pass protection (and therefore more playing time), or because McDaniel was less effective than last year? It's hard to really tell without watching practice.

Also, if Kelly can run the ball well why doesn't he do it more often? Why have we only had one 1,000 yard rusher since he came here? He won't commit to the run, whether he had a QB who was not a running threat or not.

To me, he needs to actually establish a consistent run game before I'll buy "he can run the ball well." That starts with getting RBs game-ready and giving them the opportunity to put the team on their back ala Ezekiel Elliot. That was a display of a coach who got a RB ready to play, let him play, and rode him to a natty. Kelly should take note.

 

[koonja]

GBDomer - where are you when we need you?

I followed Dexter Williams' tweets today and this jackass Miami fan (@MackieDuncan) is responding to everything, ragging on South Bend. He claims to be a doctor.

I know you love razzing people on twitter so I thought I'd loft up a target for you.

 

[Rocket89]

Just because he was the leading rusher last year, doesn't mean he's the best RB. Folston turned it on later in the season, you're right. But was that a function of purely more playing time, better pass protection (and therefore more playing time), or because McDaniel was less effective than last year? It's hard to really tell without watching practice.

Also, if Kelly can run the ball well why doesn't he do it more often? Why have we only had one 1,000 yard rusher since he came here? He won't commit to the run, whether he had a QB who was not a running threat or not.

To me, he needs to actually establish a consistent run game before I'll buy "he can run the ball well." That starts with getting RBs game-ready and giving them the opportunity to put the team on their back ala Ezekiel Elliot. That was a display of a coach who got a RB ready to play, let him play, and rode him to a natty. Kelly should take note.

Carries over their last 8 games of 2014:

Folston- 133
Elliott- 156

Essentially, the difference being we were getting our doors blown off against USC and stopped running while Elliott got an absurd amount of carries in the title game.

There's some truth to your big picture complaints about the run game. But I don't know why there's still consternation about McDaniel's role from his senior year. 29 carries over his last 8 games with occasional spot duty as a pass blocker? He practically disappeared as the season wore on and Folston developed.

 

[GBdomer]

GBDomer - where are you when we need you?

I followed Dexter Williams' tweets today and this jackass Miami fan (@MackieDuncan) is responding to everything, ragging on South Bend. He claims to be a doctor.

I know you love razzing people on twitter so I thought I'd loft up a target for you.

I'm on it

 

[luckoftheirish11]

ISD says in a Sat PM update that we thought we led before the visit and that the visit is going VERY well. Whispers that he is thinking of committing while on campus. Doesn;t hurt when the men's BBall team beats his old committed school. Crowd seemed pretty into it and students are now back and in full force.

From the tone on ISD, I'd be shocked if he isn't Irish.

 

[KPENN]

 

[koonja]

It's moving everywhere.

 

[Irish YJ]

Hope he pops.
Updated rankings. Looks like everyone has him classed as RB now.

ESPN - RB
6-0, 195 | 40: 4.55
4Star, 84 Grade, 78th (Espn 300) 5 position, 40 Regional, 16 State

Scout - RB
511, 195 , 4.54
4Star, 114 (Scout Rank), 17 Position, 7 Regional, 3 FL RB Rank

Rivals - RB
511, 195
4Star, 5.9 Grade, 114 National, 13 Position, 20 State

247 - RB
6-0, 192, 4.54
4 Star, 0.94 Grade, 129 Top 247, 13 Position, 19 State

Composite
4Star, 0.9581 Grade, 86 (national), 11 Position, 14 State

Athlete
Orlando, Florida
West Orange

Ht: 6'0"
Wt: 190 lbs

RANKINGS:
24/7: ATH #14 | Overall #120
Rivals: NR
Composite: ATH #10 | Overall #103

OFFERS:
Notre Dame
Florida
Georgia
Miami
Ohio State
South Carolina
Tennessee

Dexter Williams - - Hudl - Hudl

 

[andre784]

Didn't this guy go to the same HS as Earl Thomas?

 

[CanadalovesND]

No. They share the same name, but are in different states.

 

[koonja]

Loy CB.

 

[GBdomer]

Loy CB.

lol go figure, I am not saying he won't end up at RB but at this point I just hope he isn't guessing like usual

ND running backs that Loy has CB to ND at some point

Dexter Williams
Tyson Williams
Soso Jamabo
Nick Brossette
Ronald Jones
Jordan Cronkrite
Jeremy Smith
TJ Simmons

 

[arrowryan]

lol go figure, I am not saying he won't end up at RB but at this point I just hope he isn't guessing like usual

ND running backs that Loy has CB to ND at some point

Dexter Williams
Tyson Williams
Soso Jamabo
Nick Brossette
Ronald Jones
Jordan Cronkrite
Jeremy Smith
TJ Simmons

He's gotta get one right at some point, right?