forums

2027 Dorian “Niu” Williams #3 JUCO OT

Mario when he here’s there a 6’9 OL out in the world…

Friday Driving GIF by FIA World Rally Championship
 


Williams, who was born in Tampa, Florida, has taken a winding path to his current stop. After then spending most of his youth in Hawaii, he moved back to the Sunshine State, attending Clermont (Fla.) South Lake before moving to Las Vegas after his sophomore season, finishing out his high school career at Las Vegas (Nev.) Chapparal.

The Miami offer represented an opportunity for Williams to take another step toward his goal of playing at the next level. "It was an eye-opener," Williams said. "Moving on to bigger things and new opportunities in life." Miami's history of developing junior college talent is another aspect that caught Williams' attention. He pointed to former Hurricane offensive lineman Markel Bell, a JUCO product who went on to reach the NFL, as an example of what can be accomplished with the right opportunity. "Honestly, it's amazing," he said. "People won't really understand the JUCO life until they live through it and go through it. You can see what it takes: hard work and dedication to get to somewhere you really want to be. Markel Bell showed that. He's huge. Not too many people looked at him like that, but he got to where he needed to go, had the opportunity, and took full advantage of it."

The Hurricanes have not yet discussed setting up a visit. Texas State has also been in regular contact with Williams. Other schools have begun showing interest as he works through the recruiting process. Williams took an official visit to Arkansas over the summer but it does not sound like the Razorbacks remain in the picture. With a December graduation on the horizon, he is weighing when he might be able to make additional visits around his football schedule at College of San Mateo. "We don't have any other breaks, so I might have to go right after the season ends in December," he said.

At 285 pounds, Williams acknowledged that he is not quite the same size as Bell, but he shares a similar height at 6-foot-8 compared to Bell, who stands 6-foot-9, and is focused on continuing to develop as he prepares for the next level. Much of that development has come through the daily demands of junior college football. With his mother back in Las Vegas, Williams has spent much of his time in California away from family, learning to balance his everyday responsibilities.

"Speaking from my perspective, it's hard, but it takes a man to go through these hardships, get past being away from family, and grind every day knowing you have something to prove to give back to your family back home," he said."From the meals, to school, to weights, to practice, especially here at the College of San Mateo, you have to put your head down and work. It's going to pay off at the end. The amount of work you put in is what you're going to get out of it."

As he considers his next destination, Williams said education and team culture will be major factors in his decision. "Right now, to get my education. I want to graduate and get that first," he said. "Culture. Culture on the football team, with the coaches, and things like that." With Miami now in the picture and a December graduation approaching, Williams will continue evaluating his options as he looks to turn his JUCO experience into an opportunity at the next level.
 
Back
Top