Ohio State in pursuit of Florida 4-star DL commit Amaris Williams
Ohio State’s top-two class On3 Industry Football Team Recruiting Rankings already features one of the nation’s best defensive line duos in the country. That isn’t stopping the Buckeyes from wanting to add to their elite recruiting haul, though.
On Monday, OSU defensive line coach Larry Johnson extended an offer to four-star Clinton (N.C.) defensive lineman Amaris Williams, who has been committed to Florida since June.
The Buckeyes were not a factor the first time around in Williams’ recruitment but surely will be over the next few months as they look to pull off the flip.
“Ohio State, (defensive line coach Larry Johnson), he’s talking to me a lot about how me coming to Ohio State is a good deal but you know, he produces well as a coach” Williams told GatorsOnline.com last week. “He’s the highest-paid defensive line coach in college football so he produces well and he feels like me coming there, he’ll produce and send me off (to the NFL).”
Buckeyes aren’t alone in their pursuit
In addition to Ohio State, Tennessee is also working to flip the 6-foot-2, 260-pounder away from the Gators.
“Tennessee was actually my first SEC offer. And they’ve been recruiting me since I got that offer in December sometime,” he told GatorsOnline. “Their message is, they want me to come in and play D-end. And they really love me and feel like I would fit there. They’ve got some seniors that are leaving (and) some juniors that are declaring (for the draft). So they feel if I come there I can take that spot and you know, do what I do best.”
As it stands now though, Williams is very solid with his commitment to Florida.
“I’m very locked in with Florida,” he added. “I wouldn’t put a percent on it, but I’m very locked. I’d probably say like 95 (percent).”
Williams is the No. 161 overall prospect in the 2024 class, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He also ranks as the nation’s No. 19 defensive lineman and the No. 2 recruit in North Carolina.