2020 4-star Oregon DB commit Avantae Williams was out at the Opening Finals earlier this month, but sat out of the competition to rest his body up for his final year of high school.
“I didn’t get a chance to compete. I really did want to so bad, but I’m resting up, my body has a lot of soreness, some nicks,” Williams said. “I still wanted to come out here and experience everything, though. My whole team’s been trying to get me to play, they’ve been saying ‘C’mon man, we need you!’, but I need to rest up and be ready for the season.”
As a former UM commit, Williams has been on the Miami campus many times, but got one more chance to experience the program when he visited UM for Paradise Camp just before the dead period.
“I already know a lot about Miami, so it was just about going there to see the coaches and compete,” Williams said. “I just love that savage mentality that Miami has.”
Safeties coach Ephraim Banda has kept UM in the game for the Deland star and has continued to develop his relationship with Williams that goes back years at this point.
“We’re close, I’ve known Banda since I was in middle school,” Williams said. “He tells me their defense is relentless. He sees me playing like a rover and a field safety.”
Despite a great visit to Miami that weekend, Williams says he maintains his Oregon commitment that has been in place since December. He committed to the Ducks sight unseen, but got his first chance to experience Eugene back in April for Oregon’s spring game.
"Making the visit out to Oregon, I was originally supposed to bring some family with me, but it ended up being too far for them,” Williams said. “It went good, I love the coaches’ energy out there, coach Donte (Williams) and coach (Mario) Cristobal. I have a great relationship with those guys.”
With Eugene, Oregon over 3,000 miles from Deland, Florida, Williams does admit that distance is becoming a factor when discussing Oregon with his family.
“My family does tell me a lot that it’s far, but I don’t let it bother me too much,” Williams said. “Having a daughter like I do can complicate things. They just want what is best for me.”
Although his commitment to the Ducks is still intact, Williams says that won’t stop him from continuing to take visits so he can be 100% sure of his decision.
“I’m going to take some more visits, the plan is still to go back to Miami in the fall for an official,” Williams said. “Florida, Georgia, and LSU recruit me pretty hard too and want me to visit. I’m just about seeing new things, learning as much as I can.”
While Williams’ current plan is to sign with Oregon in December, he says he is open to moving back to February if he is still uncertain of his destination.
“Honestly, I’m looking for a place that has the best coaching I can possibly have," Williams said. “When I decide who is the best fit for me and can help me further my career, I’ll shut everything down. In the end, I have to do what’s best for me.”
Williams most recently recorded a 4.52 40 time, a 4.25 shuttle, and a 36.20 vertical leap at the Opening Orlando regional in February.
“I didn’t get a chance to compete. I really did want to so bad, but I’m resting up, my body has a lot of soreness, some nicks,” Williams said. “I still wanted to come out here and experience everything, though. My whole team’s been trying to get me to play, they’ve been saying ‘C’mon man, we need you!’, but I need to rest up and be ready for the season.”
As a former UM commit, Williams has been on the Miami campus many times, but got one more chance to experience the program when he visited UM for Paradise Camp just before the dead period.
“I already know a lot about Miami, so it was just about going there to see the coaches and compete,” Williams said. “I just love that savage mentality that Miami has.”
Safeties coach Ephraim Banda has kept UM in the game for the Deland star and has continued to develop his relationship with Williams that goes back years at this point.
“We’re close, I’ve known Banda since I was in middle school,” Williams said. “He tells me their defense is relentless. He sees me playing like a rover and a field safety.”
Despite a great visit to Miami that weekend, Williams says he maintains his Oregon commitment that has been in place since December. He committed to the Ducks sight unseen, but got his first chance to experience Eugene back in April for Oregon’s spring game.
"Making the visit out to Oregon, I was originally supposed to bring some family with me, but it ended up being too far for them,” Williams said. “It went good, I love the coaches’ energy out there, coach Donte (Williams) and coach (Mario) Cristobal. I have a great relationship with those guys.”
With Eugene, Oregon over 3,000 miles from Deland, Florida, Williams does admit that distance is becoming a factor when discussing Oregon with his family.
“My family does tell me a lot that it’s far, but I don’t let it bother me too much,” Williams said. “Having a daughter like I do can complicate things. They just want what is best for me.”
Although his commitment to the Ducks is still intact, Williams says that won’t stop him from continuing to take visits so he can be 100% sure of his decision.
“I’m going to take some more visits, the plan is still to go back to Miami in the fall for an official,” Williams said. “Florida, Georgia, and LSU recruit me pretty hard too and want me to visit. I’m just about seeing new things, learning as much as I can.”
While Williams’ current plan is to sign with Oregon in December, he says he is open to moving back to February if he is still uncertain of his destination.
“Honestly, I’m looking for a place that has the best coaching I can possibly have," Williams said. “When I decide who is the best fit for me and can help me further my career, I’ll shut everything down. In the end, I have to do what’s best for me.”
Williams most recently recorded a 4.52 40 time, a 4.25 shuttle, and a 36.20 vertical leap at the Opening Orlando regional in February.
