Tigers lead for one of the top athletes in SC

As a junior, Williams rushed for 1,902 yards and 22 touchdowns, averaging 11.3 yards every time he carried the ball.

by David Hood - Senior Writer - Wed Mar 09 12:19:33 GMT-04:00 2011

CLEMSON – Fox Creek head coach Russ Schneider was having trouble getting the word out about one of his athletes.

Now the word is out, however, and Schneider and his player, quarterback/safety prospect Marty Williams, are finding a lot of suitors.

“We have known how good he is,” Schneider told TigerNet Tuesday afternoon. “But getting the word out there has been tough. But we found a website that was able to put a lot of his highlights together on a film, and we sent it out. Arkansas called last Friday and gave an offer over the phone, and then we got a phone call from Clemson coach Charlie Harbison, who wanted us to come up to Clemson for a visit. He told us they had seen his film and they were very interested.”

Schneider accompanied the 6-2, 210-pounder up to Clemson last weekend for Junior Day, and the Tigers were quick to make an offer for one of the best all-around athletes in the state.

“We are 1A, so he plays quarterback and some tailback for us,” Schneider said. “We run the zone read with him, and we also use him at safety. In college, I can see him as a running back or a strong safety. He has been a starter for us since 10th grade, and he just keeps getting bigger, faster and stronger.”

As a junior, he rushed for 1,902 yards and 22 touchdowns, averaging 11.3 yards every time he carried the ball. He also threw for 557 yards and five scores.

Schneider said that Williams isn’t the type of player that shies away from contact.

“His leadership is one of his best qualities, but I love his toughness,” he said. “He has the ability to run people over. If you watch his film, he doesn’t like to run out of bounds, he just looks to run people over. And he is a better kid than he is a player. He does what he is supposed to do in the classroom and has never been in trouble.”

The Tigers made a good impression on both the coach and the player during last weekend’s visit.

“We knew it was just a matter of time before Clemson offered,” he said. “And Clemson is the type of school that it’s tough to not go to. But he is open to anybody and everybody. And as a coach, you can generally read a person pretty good. And I see Clemson as a place where he can get an education and work toward a degree. They care about him as a person. The fact that they are No. 3 in the country in graduating players stood out to me.”

Williams said he enjoyed the family atmosphere in Clemson.

“It was a great atmosphere up there,” Williams said. “They are some really good people, and they seem like family. The coaches are experienced, and they seem like good motivators. They know what they are talking about.”

His favorite part of the visit was the one that typically stands out to most recruits.

“I loved going around and see all of the facilities,” he said. “But they had jerseys for us to try on in the locker room, and then we got to go up and rub the rock and run down the hill. That was pretty cool.”

Williams said Clemson has the attributes he is looking for in a school.

“I am looking for a good academic school,” he said. “And one where all of the players are like brothers, and close to each other. Clemson is No. 1 right now because they offered in-person.”

Williams said he will make a decision following his senior season.