4-star LB Gabriel Williams commits to Virginia Tech Hokies
Heading into his official visit at Virginia Tech this weekend, Washington (D.C.) St. Vincent Pallotti four-star linebacker Gabriel Williams knew the Hokies were at the top of his list. A commitment though, that wasn’t something he was expecting to happen so soon.
However that’s exactly what happened as Williams left Blacksburg with a pledge to Virginia Tech picking the Hokies over Duke, Maryland, Miami, Notre Dame, Penn State, Pittsburgh and USC.
“Going over the schemes and the defense, they told me that if I come in and do everything right that I could start as a freshman,” Williams told On3. “I feel like what I can do is help change the program. Get it back to what it used to be when guys like Michael Vick were there.
“Sitting in the office and talking the whole defensive staff and Coach (Brent) Pry, he let me know that he believes in me and thinks I can help change the program for the better. My parents felt the same way. My Mom started breaking down in the middle of the conversation because she felt like it was the fit for me.”
On top of the opportunity to play early possibly being a program-changer, Williams noted that his relationship with the Hokies coaching staff played a massive role in his decision.
He had built a relationship with current Hokies running back coach Elijah Brooks while Brooks was still at Maryland. Williams also said that his relationship with Pry, Chris Marve and Shawn Quinn made it “a no-brainer’ in the end.
Even the relationships outside of the football facility played a role in Williams’ decision. His final factors came down to the people, the future and the history of the program.
“The people there at Virginia Tech show so much support and it’s unreal,” said Williams, the No. 85 player in the 2024 On300. “You get a real family-feel there.”
What lies ahead for Williams and the Hokies now
Williams had other officials lined up including one to Nebraska in a few weeks but said those trips are canceled as far as he’s concerned.
“I’m done,” Williams said. “It was a nice ride but I’m done.”
Now Williams said his main focus is building up the Hokies 2024 class. Virginia Tech currently has eight commitments in its 2024 group.
Williams is the highest-ranked pledge in a class. The group ranks No. 37 in the country and No. 8 in the ACC.
“I’m a man of my word and I really think I can help get this program turned around,” Williams said. “I could have gone to somewhere that was already built up but I wanted to be an impact player and show people that Virginia Tech still has it. The fans haven’t given up on the team and I think it’s time to change things around.
“The last class they had was good and putting together this class is going to be a tremendous experience.”