Elite 2021 Safety Williams Talks Position Projection, Timeline

Physical specimen and 2021 defensive prospect James Williams has a big ACC trip on deck while many of the SEC's best also compete for his time.

James Williams is gearing up for his final high school football campaign. The junior defensive back, known for his rare combination of size and athleticism at 6-foot-5, 225 pounds, is also readying for a big visit. 

"I'm trying to get to Clemson's junior day, I think it's January 27," he told SI All-American. "I like everything about them. The way they compete, I was watching that Ohio State game..."

One of the top prospects in the class of 2021, who many have already projected to grow into a linebacker with his size at the next level, sees similarities between his game and that of Clemson's most notable defender this season.

"I feel like if I go to Clemson, that's how they'll use me, like Isaiah Simmons," Williams said. "Same height, both got ball skills and range." 

The Miami native, who played at Davie (Fla.) Western in 2019, says the position projection at the second level hasn't become a part of recruiting pitches from coaching staffs just yet but he is not against a hybrid role should it enhance a given defense. 

"My dream is to be the number one safety in the nation but if it takes for me to be a linebacker for the team, that could be perfect, too," he said.

Many of the top programs in the land, including Clemson, have jumped in with an early offer for the towering defender. SEC pair Georgia and Alabama came up as did the program he was once committed to, Miami.

"Georgia, I love the way they pay on defense," Williams said. "It's amazing, they play with a lot of DBs, too. I love (Miami's) defense, it's just like Western's defense. 

"Alabama would use me like all their other great safeties in the league."

On the recruiting process, Williams also mentioned "Florida and LSU, they text me a lot." The only program he offered up interest for that has yet to offer is Big 12 champion Oklahoma. 

Nearly 30 programs, in all, have already jumped on board with verbal tenders. It seems as if regardless of how many programs are added to the list, a decision isn't to be expected until the Early Signing Period rolls back around. 

Williams is expected to compete in a 7-on-7 setting at some point this offseason but he has no locked in competition plans just yet. On Sunday, he spent time observing a tryout for the Florida Fire organization.