Watch Penn State commit Jven Williams impress in the weight room
If Penn State fans needed any more reason to be excited by 2023 offensive line commit Jven Williams, some fresh fodder was posted to Twitter on Monday afternoon. Steven O’Neil, Williams’ position coach at Wyomissing Area High School, shared a video of Williams squatting 465 pounds during a weight room session.
The video can be watched below:
There was no semblance of cutting corners for Williams, either, who showcased excellent squat technique.
With this type of weight room prowess, perhaps it’s little surprise that On3’s recruiting experts are so high on Williams.
On3 rates the 2023 prospect as the top interior offensive lineman in the cycle.
At 6-foot-4, 290 pounds, Williams earned his fifth star from On3 in late February. He is ranked as the No. 11 overall prospect in the class, and is Penn State’s highest-rated commit.
The On3 Consensus, which includes input from other major recruiting networks, has him ranked 60th in the nation, and awards Williams four-star status.
“He’s long enough with his arm length that he could certainly play tackle,” former NFL offensive lineman, Go Big Recruiting Founder, and current college and pro football analyst Ross Tucker told BWI.
“He’s probably a prototype or ideal NFL guard, with his feet, and power, and athleticism, and also having pretty good length. He has a very high football IQ.”
More on Penn State commit Jven Williams
Penn State secured Williams’ commitment before his stock truly skyrocketed.
Williams gave James Franklin and the Nittany Lion staff his verbal pledge on February 5, 2022.
He selected Penn State following three unofficial trips to campus, making a fourth on April 9 as a committed player. He also visited Rutgers, Pitt and Virginia Tech once each before making his choice.
“The first game I went to, when they offered me against Villanova, I almost committed while I was leaving — honest to God,” Williams said. “Me and Coach Franklin talked it out, decided I should wait, see some schools and see how I felt.”
A handful of months later, Williams again found himself ready to make a decision.
Offensive line coach Phil Trautwein played a major role in securing his commitment.
“Coach Traut was a huge factor for me,” Williams said. “He spent a lot of time texting with me and checking up on me. He came into my school multiple times. It’s just a really strong relationship. It’s really been daily for me. I’m always getting a text or a call from someone on the staff. It’s love every single day from them and it’s hard to say no to something like that.”
He also formed a connection with the other members of Penn State’s Class of 2023.
That group is shaping up to be quite the collection of talented offensive linemen. Alex Birchmeier is the No. 27 player in the nation according to the On3 Consensus. Three-star prospects Joshua Miller and Anthony Donkoh round out the quartet.
