Jamyest Williams (Michael Carvell/AJC)
Jamyest Williams released his top 10 schools this past week, and UGA was ninth on his list.
Williams, the 4-star cornerback from Archer High School, told the AJC why UGA was second-to-last on his list of favorite colleges.
“To be honest, I really don’t know where Georgia will play me at,” Williams said. “I don’t know if they want me to play offense or defense, so I would like a clear answer from them.”
The 5-foot-9, 170-pounder plays both corner and wide receiver for Archer. Williams said he wants to play cornerback at the next level.
He will attend UGA’s Dawg Night prospect camp this Saturday and will go through drills as a defensive back. The 2017 athlete, who has been clocked at 4.35 in the 40-yard dash, hopes to show the coaching staff that he should be strictly considered a defensive player.
“I’m going to talk to the coaches when I’m there,” he said. “I hope they tell me where they see me playing at. When I’m there, I’m going to show (UGA defensive coordinator Jeremy) Pruitt that I can play cornerback.”
Here are five things you need to know about Williams:
1) Top honors for Williams: He was one of a few underclassmen to be invited to The Opening, an all-star competition held at Nike headquarters this past week. He was named to the all-tournament team. "It was just a true blessing. I had my doubters, so I just had that edge to go out there and be the best I could be and dominate."
2) He met an NFL All-Pro: While at The Opening, Williams met Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman. The Super Bowl champion was a 3-star recruit before signing with Stanford. "It was really great to get knowledge about what he did in high school and how he overcame the doubters. It was good to hear. Richard Sherman wasn't really recruited in high school. I learned a lot from that man."
3) Sherman's advice: The Seahawks corner told Williams what it was like playing in the biggest game, and how he should approach those situations moving forward. "He told me that when I play on the big stage you can't worry about that because you're still playing football. Everybody is the same; the game doesn't change. You just have to continue to play how you've been taught."
4) Clemson is No. 1: After a 22-school visit this past month, Williams said that Clemson stuck out to him the most. "I chose Clemson because of the relationship I have with (defensive backs) coach Reed. We just talk about life and he is always helping me out. I also got the chance to talk to (head coach Dabo) Swinney, academic advisors and professors when I went on a visit to the school."
5) His main motivation: Williams says he thinks he's doubted because of his size. "What motivates me the most is all of the doubters. I have so many doubters out there. There were so many people out there who thought I was going to be this mediocre player (at The Opening) and thought I wasn't going to stand out from the rest of the guys, but I did."
