Nation’s No. 1 LB Projected To Sign With SEC Powerhouse Over Alabama, Georgia
As class of 2026 four-star linebacker Izayia Williams prepares to take multiple visits over the spring and summer, an SEC powerhouse has reportedly taken the lead over perennial powers like Alabama and Georgia. Williams (6-foot-1, 215 pounds) plays for Tavares High School in Leesburg, Florida, where he is ranked as the No. 1 linebacker, the No. 2 player in the state and the No. 12 recruit overall in his class (On3). Playing on both sides of the ball as a junior, Williams totaled 125 tackles (15 for loss), 4.0 sacks with an interception on defense. He also recorded 23 carries for 423 yards with 6 touchdowns while catching five passes for 97 yards and four scores. The three-sport athlete, also playing basketball and participating in track and field, has six upcoming official visits. Williams will take trips to Penn State (May 17), Georgia (May 30), Alabama (June 6), Florida (June 13), Colorado (June 17) and Florida State (June 20). According to On3’s Steve Wiltfong on Thursday, it’s the home-state Gators that are projected to land Williams’ services.
Florida and head coach Billy Napier finished the 2024 season with eight wins for the first time since 2020. The program had not won more than six games in three years under Napier, and the Gators have seemingly translated the improved play to the recruiting trail.
Napier hauled in his first top-10 class at Florida (No. 8) in the 2025 cycle after finishing with the 13th-best class the previous season. It appears UF is finally moving in the right direction after moving on from Dan Mullen in 2021. Williams’ recruitment, though, is still a major battle for the Gators with recruiting giants like Alabama and Georgia still in the mix. Kalen DeBoer’s Crimson Tide signed the nation’s No. 3 class last cycle. Georgia and Kirby Smart landed the second-best class, which included the second-straight cycle of signing the top linebacker in the country.
How Alabama wide receivers are dealing with quarterback battle
Alabama football’s wide receivers are making sure they get comfortable with each of the Crimson Tide’s quarterbacks.
Ty Simpson, Keelon Russell and Austin Mack are competing to be the Tide’s next starting signal caller this spring. The eventual winner of the competition will have a lot of experience and young potential at wide receiver to throw the football to in 2025.
Alabama football’s wide receivers are making sure they get comfortable with each of the Crimson Tide’s quarterbacks.
Ty Simpson, Keelon Russell and Austin Mack are competing to be the Tide’s next starting signal caller this spring. The eventual winner of the competition will have a lot of experience and young potential at wide receiver to throw the football to in 2025.
Alabama’s wide receiver room is led by Germie Bernard and Ryan Williams. Miami transfer, Isaiah Horton also adds experience.
Bernard gave some insight into how the Alabama wideouts are working with the Tide’s quarterbacks during the completion on Wednesday.
“We just getting to know each quarterback personally and then obviously on the field stuff,” Bernard said. “We’ve been going on the weekends and making sure that we’re all throwing and making sure we’re on the same level about everything. I think that it’s going to be great, and I think it’s is good for all the QBs to battle out. I think coach Shep (JaMarcus Shephard) has been doing a good job rotating everybody to make sure that we get reps with every QB.”
