2025 WR Taz Williams Jr. Recaps Unexpected, In-Person Offer from Florida

The Florida Gators made an unexpected stop at Red Oak (Texas) High School, the home of 2025 wide receiver Taz Williams Jr., in late April to extend an offer to the uber-talented playmaker.

Assistant coach Mike Peterson made the trek to the Lone Star State to pop in unbeknown to Williams, as he hadn't heard from the Gators in the early stages of his process.

In fact, the face-to-face meeting was the first contact he made with Florida, making his 34th overall offer that much sweeter to receive.

"I was actually shocked 'cause I haven't been in contact with them before and they had popped into my school, our recruiting coach had called me down and Florida was in there. He said he came here just for me. Watched my film, said he fell in love with it and offered me on the spot," Williams recalled in an interview with All Gators.

"It actually meant a lot 'cause he didn't even have to do that. He could've been like "Oh, he got all these other schools, I don't think we have a chance.' But, just knowing that he came all the way over here for me, it means a lot. I think very highly of that."

While his relationship with Florida is still in the preliminary stages post-offer — having yet to hear from the team since April 30 — Williams walked out of his unexpected meeting with Florida's edge rushers coach intrigued to learn more about what the program has to offer. He shared his desire to make a trek to Gainesville at some point over the next year and a half as he mulls over the variety of teams involved in his recruitment.

His timeline for said visit is unknown, as is his timeline for an eventual commitment.

However, despite his current choice to take the recruiting process as it comes, Williams laid out what the school he awards with his pledge will need in order to win his over.

"I want to be able to come in and compete for a starting spot my freshman year," he said. "I don't to be sitting behind nobody so that means a lot. I just want to go. Compete, I want to have a fair shot at that number one spot."

Williams is expecting to do so in a hybrid wideout role, as most teams have deemed the 6-foot, 175-pound prospect as an inside, outside piece who can operate both from the slot and on the boundary.

"Every school I've talked to they've told me I'm outside, inside. I can play both so they're going to use me everywhere," Williams shared.

However, the ability to contribute immediately isn't the only criterion he holds dearly in his search for a collegiate program to call home. A team's ability to help the wideout "become great" and "push you to be the best version of yourself" also appear on his checklist.

In his eyes, Florida presents the cherished opportunity and history of development he seeks.

"They had some good receivers come out. Like, Kadarius Toney, they had him come out recently," he explained. "But, they're developing all the receivers, just making them become great. They're gonna push you to be the best version of yourself."

Likewise, the versatility, speed in space and dynamic playmaking ability piqued Billy Gonzales’ interest as he looks to compile more talent to develop. Williams arises as one of the top prospects in the 2025 class, indicated by the early offer.

The Gators will have to fend off the likes of Nebraska, Michigan, Cal, Texas A&M and several others pushing Williams aggressively to potentially earn his pledge down the road.

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