Ohio State '20 CA LB (RS SR) - Kourt Williams

Bellflower (Calif.) St. John Bosco ATH Kourt Williams has several key factors he's looking for in a school and is hoping to announce his commitment later this month https://t.co/Swll2F7fV0 pic.twitter.com/b9WAsCYvdA

— Greg Biggins (@GregBiggins) July 2, 2019

 

Top Ohio State target Kourt Williams closing in on decision
Though he has not announced a commitment date of his own, Buckeyes target Kourt Williams is nearing a college decision.

“I’m getting close,” Williams told Lettermen Row.

The recruiting process can be arduous, but the country’s 12th-ranked outside linebacker and a potential fit for Ohio State’s Bullet position has maintained his cool throughout it all.

“I’ve been able to focus on real life some,” Williams said. “I just have to keep everything in perspective and organized.”

 

Kourt Williams Still Weighing Options
Four-star linebacker Kourt Williams knows his decision is coming soon, but he doesn’t know exactly when or even exactly where he will choose to go. Despite having one of the longest official visit seasons of the 2020 class – from April 26 (Texas A&M) to June 21 (Ohio State) – Williams told Eleven Warriors on Monday that he is “still not sure yet.”

The California standout said his decision is about a week away but isn’t committed to a date at this point because he is still deciding on which program is best for him.

“It’s more of 50/50 with the schools,” Williams said about what is preventing him from making a decision. “I just know it’s coming up soon.”

After heading back to California from Columbus following the Buckeye Bash & Barbecue, Williams began to have conversations with his family about where he would choose to go and has kept the product of those conversations close to his chest.


Kourt Williams chats with Kendall Milton, Clark Phillips and Lathan Ransom during warm-ups on the first day of The Opening Finals in Frisco, Texas, on July 1.

The bullet position – its youth within the Ohio State program, the opportunity for playing time and its exact match for his skillset – has been a driving force in separating Ohio State from the other five programs he’s considering.

But secondary coach Jeff Hafley, with his ties to the West Coast, has proven that Williams is a priority for the Buckeyes by continuing to develop his relationship with Williams. That continued through Williams’ second visit to campus in June, when he was also able to see how the program is progressing as a whole.

“My relationship with the coaches and the direction their program is going,” Williams said about what has stood out to him about the program recently.

Ohio State commits also did their best to recruit Williams at The Opening Finals, but Williams sat out mots of it because of a minor shoulder injury. Clark Phillips was able to spend some time with him in Frisco, though.

The safety-linebacker hybrid prospect is deciding between Texas A&M, Tennessee, Penn State, Oklahoma and Ohio State, and the Aggies made a big impression in April. But he’s whittled his way down to an unknown number of schools, he said Monday.

Ohio State’s chances of earning the commitment of Williams is positive but not particularly a lock, as some of the language surrounding his recruitment has indicated recently.

 

Four-star LB Kourt Williams could have a decision within days #OhioState #WeAre #BoomerSooner #Vols #GigEm https://t.co/mLNxT98u4D pic.twitter.com/ioIxXxLYb8

— Adam Gorney (@adamgorney) July 17, 2019

 

Buckeyes target Kourt Williams still sorting best fit, future position https://t.co/eFYtAPWxpy

— Lettermen Row (@LettermenRow) July 22, 2019

 

#OhioState safety/bullet target @kourt22williams sets announcement date for this week. https://t.co/PEyfpaxu9S.

— Bill Kurelic (@Bill_Kurelic) July 23, 2019

 

Ohio State gains commitment from California linebacker https://t.co/4bWaiFxm3o

— BuckeyeXtra.com (@BuckeyeXtra) July 24, 2019

 

Kourt Williams Commits to Ohio State
California linebacker Kourt Williams announced Wednesday evening that he has committed to Ohio State, making him the second commitment from the state of California to pick the Buckeyes in the Class of 2020.

I detailed in the impact piece what makes Williams suited for the bullet position, where he is expected to play, and those skills include his physicality and football intelligence.

To play the bullet position, decisions must be made before most players on the field. This is what is required of players in hybrid roles and what makes moving into a hybrid role so difficult. A bullet must decide whether he is identified as a linebacker or a defensive back but can only decide after the snap when he sees his keys.

The good thing about Williams as a prospect is that he’s already been in a similar role at St. John Bosco, which is a big reason why he chose the Buckeyes – they want to use him in very similar ways that he’s always been used.

That’s a huge advantage in terms of finding early playing time. Most of the intelligent players in each class will find the field first within any class, but with Ohio State already trying to move players into the bullet position for 2019, there’s a learning curve that Williams will find himself on ahead of schedule.

It wouldn’t be surprising to see Williams on the field before many of the Ohio State 2020 commits rated higher than him.

 

BuckIQ: Kourt Williams could be ideal Bullet option for Ohio State https://t.co/ELObuVNNVk

— Lettermen Row (@LettermenRow) July 25, 2019

 

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Kourt Williams
California four-star linebacker Kourt Williams already plays a bullet-type of position for St. John Bosco, but he could move into an even more specific responsibility defined for a bullet within the defense in 2019. As a junior, Williams recorded 74 tackles, two tackles for loss, two sacks and a fumble recovery for a touchdown.

First Game: vs. DeMatha, Aug. 24

Game to Watch: vs. Mater Dei, Oct. 25

Mater Dei is the perennial powerhouse in California, and the matchup between St. John Bosco and Mater Dei is always a must-watch. Ohio State also has several targets at Mater Dei, including Raesjon Davis, Domani Jackson, Jaylin Davies and others.

 

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Ohio State linebacker commit Kourt Williams was also in action with his St. John Bosco teammates on ESPN2 Saturday evening. The game against DeMatha and South Carolina running back commit MarShawn Lloyd was crucial for Ohio State fans to see why the Buckeye staff thought Williams was a perfect fit for the bullet position.

He already plays everywhere. He lined up on the line of scrimmage and deep in coverage but typically lined up in space between the linebacker position and safety spots, where he will be expected to line up as a bullet at Ohio State.

Williams didn’t make too many big plays, but he and his teammates made it difficult for DeMatha to get much going on the offensive end. Lloyd had the only score on a 30-yard catch, but that would be the only score for DeMatha, as St. John Bosco scored 28 consecutive points to win, 35-7.

 

Caught up w/ #Buckeyes commit @kourt22williams after his team's big win over DeMatha on Saturday evening. Williams will bring a lot of versatility to the Ohio State defense when he enrolls in January: https://t.co/CXw5OJARrE

— Marc Givler (@MarcGivler) August 25, 2019