2024 4-star QB Demond Williams Jr. commits to Ole Miss: 'They got their guy'
Chandler (Ariz.) Basha four-star quarterback Demond Williams Jr. has only visited Ole Miss twice. He attended the Rebels’ win over Auburn this October, as well as a junior day in Oxford over the summer.
However, Williams Jr. felt a strong connection to Ole Miss. He built relationships with head coach Lane Kiffin, co-offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Charlie Weis Jr. and analyst Seth Doege among others. Most importantly, the Arizona native believed he could thrive in the Rebels’ offense.
Last week, Williams Jr. called Kiffin and the offensive staff to share that he committed to Ole Miss. On Friday at his high school, he made the news official, choosing the Rebels over Michigan State and UCLA.
“I felt like I was a big priority to them,” Williams Jr. told On3. “So for me to be able to commit, I feel like they were super happy and they were definitely happy that they got their guy.”
Williams Jr. called his second trip to Oxford “a big thing for me.” While the four-star was still focused on the season, he could sense the Rebels gradually rising up his list.
A key reason for that feeling is because Ole Miss kept in constant contact with him. Multiple coaches texted or called him every week. During those conversations, they discussed football, as well as off-the-field topics. According to Williams Jr., the attention was “super important.”
Another important factor of his decision was Kiffin. Ole Miss’ head man decided to stay in Oxford after being pursued by Auburn.
“It was huge because I feel like especially when he signed his extension, that offense, I felt like, would never change from when I get there to when I leave,” said Williams, the No. 251 overall prospect and No. 19 quarterback in the 2024 On3 Consensus. “I felt like that would just be a great spot for me to display my talent.”
Williams believes that Kiffin’s offense will allow him to demonstrate his throwing ability, as well as his talent at making plays on the ground. Additionally, he has enjoyed getting to know Kiffin as a person, not just a coach.
“He’s a great guy,” Williams Jr. said. “He’s super cool. Always good to talk to.”
Williams Jr. enjoys the game day experience at Ole Miss
More than 65,000 people packed Vaught-Hemingway Stadium for Ole Miss’ game against Auburn. That day, Williams Jr. watched the Rebels defeat the Tigers 48-34.
“It was a great environment,” Williams Jr. said. “I feel like that’s definitely an environment I want to be a part of. The overall vibe of Oxford is definitely a place that I want to play at.”
Experiencing The Grove, an iconic tailgate spot in Oxford, was a highlight of Williams Jr.’s trip. Before Ole Miss’ game, he called the area “super jumped up.”
“The tailgating was great,” Williams Jr. said. “It was amazing and the environment during the game was wild. It was super loud. It just felt like a great experience.”
The 6-foot-0, 180-pound signal-caller is now the second member of the Rebels’ 2024 recruiting class alongside Bellflower (Calif.) St. John Bosco four-star linebacker Jordan Lockhart. Williams Jr. is already trying to recruit talented players to the group, including Carrollton (Ga.) four-star tight end Caleb Odom.
In the final game of his junior season, Williams Jr. led Basha to an Open Division title against Scottsdale (Ariz.) Saguaro. He hopes to find a similar level of success when he arrives at Ole Miss.
“I definitely want to play against the highest competition,” Williams Jr. said. “And I feel like there’s no better place to do it than the SEC West.”