Tigers in good shape for elite Alabama receiver EJ Williams

EJ Williams spent time with former teammates Justyn Ross and Ray Thornton

by Nikki Hood - Staff Writer - Wed Mar 20 09:34:47 GMT-04:00 2019

If Clemson is to continue its pipeline to Phenix City (AL) Central, E.J. Williams is their man.

The 4-star 2020 receiver is listed at the No. 102 prospect in the ESPNJR 300 and has offers from all of the major players in college football including Auburn, Alabama, Arkansas, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, and Notre Dame, among others.

However, it’s Clemson, Georgia, Texas A&M, Oregon, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Florida, Florida State, LSU, Arkansas, Alabama and Auburn that made the cut in early February.

Williams made the trip to campus recently and spent most of his time with wide receivers coach Jeff Scott and seeing how the freshmen wideouts were being coached.

“It went great. I spent a lot of time with all of the coaches, especially Coach Scott,” Williams told TigerNet Monday evening. “I went to the wide receiver meeting that Saturday morning. I paid a lot of attention to (freshmen) Joe Ngata and Brannon Spector.”

While watching practice, it was apparent to Williams that everyone – on both offense and defense – wants to improve.

“Just how hard everybody was working in practice. They were all competing to get better the entire time and pushing each other,” Williams said.

In addition to watching practice, Williams spent time with his former teams Justyn Ross and Ray Thornton.

“I spent some time with Justyn and Ray. I stayed the night with them; it went extremely well,” Williams said. “We always have a good time every time we see each other. Those are my big brothers. He really isn’t recruiting me to Clemson. Of course, he wants me to come there but he tells me to go where I feel comfortable. Both of them tell me.”

While Williams probably won’t make a decision until December, Scott is making his message plenty clear.

“He told me that he wants me at the ‘nine-man’ and that he can develop me into a more versatile receiver over time. He said he really likes the way I play,” Williams said.

As a junior in 2018, he posted 28 receptions for 523 yards and six touchdowns while helping Alabama 7A powerhouse Central High School to a 14-0 record and state championship.