Four star linebacker just once again changed his mind on where he wants to play, and it could turn some schools away
Tavares (Fla.) linebacker Izayia Williams has once again decided to change his mind. This time, he is flipping back to Florida State after flipping from Florida to Ole Miss in May. The four-star prospect has made headlines since November of 2023 when he went on a cross-country tour of commitments, decommitments, and flips.Now, he says […]
Tavares (Fla.) linebacker Izayia Williams has once again decided to change his mind. This time, he is flipping back to Florida State after flipping from Florida to Ole Miss in May. The four-star prospect has made headlines since November of 2023 when he went on a cross-country tour of commitments, decommitments, and flips.
Now, he says he is committed (again) to the Seminoles and this time it’s for good.
“I’m in with Florida State,” Williams told Rivals’ John Garcia, Jr. “They kept a consistent relationship with me, even when I decommitted from there. It meant a lot, it really meant a lot.
“It means a lot to be a Seminole commitment, my mom even has the spear tattooed on her.”
Despite all of the movement in his recruitment, it would seem Mike Norvell and FSU were the one constant.
“When I injured my knee, I was talking to coach Norvell almost every day,” Williams said. “He told me to rehab my knee and get it right, but also that he was going to coach me one day. Every time I talked to him, he said he was going to coach me one day.”
“I talk to coach JP (John Papuchis) a lot, I talk to coach (Tony) White,” he said. “We talk about getting ready for me to come in January ready to play. They want me to come in there to play MIKE linebacker.”
Williams now claims because of him changing his mind over and over, seeing different campuses, meeting with different coaching staffs, and going through the process for two years, he is ready to call it quits with the indecision.
“It allows me to focus on coming back from the injury,” Williams said. “I was listening to other people… and their opinions on what I should do. Now I try to see what’s better for me.”
Recruiting jokes aside, Izayia Williams is a dog.
247Sports Director of Scouting Andrew Ivins compares Williams’ game to Georgia linebacker Smael Mondon Jr.
“Supercharged linebacker with the athletic juice to make headlines at the NFL Scouting Combine one day, but one that is still discovering all of his capabilities. Owns elite speed and explosion scores for someone that’s already pushing 215 pounds and has one of the more unique track and field profiles in the class. Closes gaps with jurisdiction and can turn into a mallet as he slams opponents. Owns rare sideline-to-sideline range with his gallop and has continued to improve depth perception as a drop-coverage defender. Should in theory be able to offer some alignment flexibility at his next stop as he has flashed the ability to dip and rip while taxing the edge. Suitable as an open-field tackler at this stage, but has to get better at consistently putting himself in favorable positions. Improved stack skills will also go a long way. Could fit into a variety of different schemes and role will likely hinge on how he fills into his larger features as he’s on the younger side. A bit of a big fish in a small pond, but looked the part for stretches in a best-on-best setting at the annual Under Armour All-America Game. Should be viewed as a full-tilt, second-level defender with true three-down capabilities and all-conference potential if it all comes together.”
