Dylan Williams

Long Beach (California) Poly has produced a long line of top defensive prospects over the years, but Poly coach Stephen Barbee says Dylan Williams is one of the best ever to come through the program. As a junior, he had 79 total tackles, 25.5 tackles for a loss, seven pass breakups, 4.5 sacks, two hurries and one interception. He also had 11.5 tackles for a loss in 2021. “He’s a great kid,” Barbee told the Long Beach Press-Telegram. “Couldn’t be prouder of the work that he’s put in. He is an incredible talent. He has the ability on the defensive side to shut down half of the field from his outside linebacker position.” Williams grew up playing AAU basketball and did not begin playing organized football until he was 11 years old when he joined the Carson Colts in sixth grade. “I fell in love with the game,” Williams told the newspaper. “After my sixth-grade year, I’ve been playing football since. I stopped playing basketball. It’s been straight football and it’s been up since then. I love physicalness. It’s fun. I have fun when I’m out there playing. I love football.” Along with success on the football field, Williams runs the 110- and 300-meter hurdles for the school’s nationally known track team.