Tennessee holds off Auburn to land 4-star RB Justin Williams

Dallas (Ga.) East Paulding running back Justin Williams was at one time committed to West Virginia, but when he backed off that and opened his recruitment up, it became a showdown between two SEC programs.

Auburn and Tennessee went head to head for the No. 222-ranked prospect in the On3 Consensus and the Vols landed his commitment.

“It came down to my relationships with the Tennessee staff,” Williams told On3. “It wasn’t just one coach, but it was the running backs coach, the offensive coordinator, the offensive line coach, and the head coach — they all recruited me.

“Right after I decommitted from West Virginia, they started calling, texting, and recruiting me. It just took off and they showed me I was a priority for them.”

Williams took his first visit to Knoxville around the time he opened things back up. He then returned for an official visit this past weekend. He saw all he needed to see.

“It is that home feeling at Tennessee. It is not too big, but big enough. The environment feels right for me.

“The way I have connected with the coaches and the atmosphere there just makes Tennessee right.”

He could leave out Josh Heupel’s offense. That is something that excited Williams as well.

“Tennessee plays fast and the offense fits me,” Williams said. “They get to the ball to their backs, I am a versatile guy that fits the scheme, and I feel I can excel in coach Heupel’s system.”