2025 jumbo athlete Elyiss Williams is already turning heads

Folkston (Ga.) Charlton County 2025 athlete Elyiss Williams is still incredibly early in his recruiting process.

But the jumbo athlete, who already stands at 6-foot-8 as a high school sophomore, has started to draw national attention over the past few months. His first offer last spring was from Florida A&M; shortly after, defending national champion Georgia threw its hat in the ring.

The in-state school is now one of nearly a half-dozen programs to extend an offer, a list that also includes Cincinnati, South Carolina, Florida State, Tennessee and Georgia Southern.

Williams made the drive from southeast Georgia up to Atlanta earlier this month to watch the Bulldogs in person as a recruit for the first time.

“My overall experience was great,” he told On3. “I got to see how disciplined Georgia is and how they play hard. I liked that. I grew up a Georgia fan, so to see them play, and have that offer, is great. I would like to get to a game in Athens sometime this season. Having an offer from Georgia is big for me. It is an in-state school, I grew up a fan, and this is a big offer for me.”

Williams got to hang out with a number of former Georgia greats, including Champ Bailey and Todd Gurley, too.

Florida State is another program Elyiss Williams likes early on

Williams has been busy this month, first seeing Georgia-Oregon and then making his way to New Orleans to see Florida State and LSU. He’s been on campus in Tallahassee before, and a number of things stand out about the Seminoles.

“I like their facilities, the campus, and how it felt when I was there,” he said. “The coaches are showing love already and they are playing well. The way FSU uses their tight ends has stood out to me so far. It is a place that is chill and I will get back down there.”

The other program Williams got a chance to visit over the summer was South Carolina, which got him to Columbia for a camp and then extended an offer.

“I like the coaches there,” he added. “They had some energy and the facilities were nice.”

Williams still has more than two years left of his recruiting process, but he’s heading into it with a focus on what he wants to see and what will make a difference in his mind. He plans to take even more visits, and could be out on the road again this fall a few times.

“I want to get to know the coaches and see how I would be used,” he said. “My role will be important. Location is kind of important, but we will see. I want to see how I feel at different places first. I kind of would like to stay close to home, but we will see how I feel on visits.