Western (FL) 5-star S James Williams was Miami’s first commitment in the 2021 class back in March of 2018, but two months back, he decided to explore his options more and decommit from the Canes.

“I didn’t decommit just to decommit, I decommitted to open my recruiting process. But they’re still in the top 5,” Williams said of Miami. “I still love them with all my heart… I also like how they get their players to the pros."

Williams visited UM’s campus on back-to-back weekends before the dead period, participating in the Manny Diaz Camps 7-on-7 tournament on campus with his high school team, Western, before heading to Paradise Camp to compete the following weekend. The 6-5 220 pound prospect worked in the safety group at Paradise Camp and was closely watched by safeties coach Ephraim Banda, who has continued to build a relationship with Williams.

“He’s like a father to me,” Williams said of Banda. “He treats me like his son.”

What was Banda telling him during drills?

“Read the quarterback, work my hips, stay low, and be fluid,” Williams said. “Don’t be too tensed up, just go out there and be fluid.”

As someone that originally committed to head coach Mark Richt, Williams has been wanting to develop more of a bond with new head coach Manny Diaz, something he felt he did over the two weekends.

“He lets the coaches coach, he sits back and watches and observes,” Williams said of Diaz. “He’ll tell me what I did wrong at the end. That’s what I like about him.”

What type of player does Williams describe himself as?

"A great player on and off the field that puts school before anything, that is not selfish, and that is always a team player," he said.

Williams’ profile has exploded in recent months, as he earned offers from Alabama, Georgia, Clemson, and Ohio State among others this spring. However, he is in no rush to make another decision and will play things out for now.

“A lot of schools are coming after me, all 37 (of my offers) are coming after me really,” Williams said. “I’m just enjoying the process right now.”

Williams got to hit a few programs on the visit trail over the summer as well.

“I did all the visits I planned out,” Williams said. “I’ve been to the ones I wanted to see - Bama, Georgia, Clemson, FSU.”

What did he see at schools like Alabama and Clemson?

“Great competing, great coaching always 24/7,” Williams said.

With the summer dead period coming to a close next week, Williams says he has one school in particular he wants to see this upcoming fall.

“I want to go to Oregon and see what Oregon’s looking like,” Williams said. “I just want to travel.”