Electric WR Mario Williams Considering CFB Heavy Hitters

Some of the most decorated college football programs are still alive for electric Florida wide receiver prospect Mario Williams, who updates his timeline with SI All-American.

ORLANDO, Fla. -- There isn't a clear cut leader in the recruitment of dynamic class of 2021 wide receiver prospect Mario Williams, but there are a handful of top college programs emerging as a lead group based on the longstanding prioritization they've shown towards the rising senior recruit. 

The Plant City (Fla.) two-sport star confirmed as much before working at the Under Armour All-America Camp in Orlando Sunday.

[UA All-America Orlando: Top Performers]

"It makes it harder," he told SI All-American. "They're all great schools. I don't really know when I'm going to commit but I'm going to take my officials soon. I'm supposed to be going to LSU, they want me to come for the spring game but I don't know. 

"I may wait until they play Alabama or something like that."

The national champs are set to battle with a who's who list of top programs for the dynamic Williams, who scored on every three receptions while averaging a gaudy 29.4 yards per catch as a junior in 2019.

"I'm sticking with the schools that have been recruiting me hard like Alabama, LSU, Oklahoma, Florida and Georgia," he said, before naming likely official visit destinations. "Oklahoma, Georgia, LSU, Florida, Alabama.

"I haven't been to LSU or Oklahoma yet." 

Coveted 2021 WR @MarioWill00 always makes plays. This time at #UAALLAMERICA pic.twitter.com/8unlotUqC7

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In addition to the familiarity with those blue bloods, two more perennial College Football Playoff programs are newer to the offer list. Both Clemson and Ohio State have recently offered the 5-foot-10, 175-pounder a scholarship. 

"I'll probably take an unofficial to Ohio State and Clemson," he said. 

Williams admits the Big Ten and ACC representatives have some work to do in the recruiting process. It's safe to say the offensive weapon is keeping an eye on the type of talent being brought into the champion programs as part of his internal evaluation.

"I want to see what quarterback they're going to get because Justin Fields is gone," he said of Ohio State. "Coach (Brian) Hartline was telling me they really like getting the ball to explosive playmakers and into the hands of guys who can score. 

"That's me."

With the ACC's top program it's been about the athletic profile and style of recent wide receivers to have the most success. 

"Coach Tyler (Grisham) is a great coach," Williams said. "You know when they had coach (Jeff) Scott they liked those taller guys but Coach Tyler and Coach (Tony) Elliot always stuck with me. 

"Coach Tyler likes guys who could play slot, or the outside and get to the end zone with speed."

After the round of visits to have a baseline of familiarity with each college campus, the deeper dive into the academic opportunities between the options will continue to come into focus. 

"The graduation rate is important to me," he said. "The academics are going to set the schools apart from each other because they're all great in football. Like Georgia is at 98%."

Williams is not expected to make a final decision any time soon and expects the process to draw out into the 2020 football season. 

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