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DELAND — Despite a head coaching change and neither of his primary recruiters being retained, Tony Williams signed with UCF football in December to honor a nine-month commitment. The Knights’ lone representative in Thursday’s Under Armour Next All-America Game, held for the first time at Spec Martin Stadium, said following the elite high school showcase that he pledged to a program, first and foremost.
“I committed to a school. It’s beyond football,” said Williams, a Wellington native who recently graduated from Miami Central High School. “It’s the education, it’s the people in the facility, it’s the people that are helping me out. I feel like I had more to it than just coaches.”
Williams, a 6-foot-1, 190-pound defensive back, is viewed as a consensus three-star recruit. He flashed the ability to line up in the slot, on the boundary and at safety Thursday. He registered two solo tackles and a pass breakup.
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Team Icon’s Tony Williams (5) covers a Team Unstoppable receiver during the Under Armour All-America Game Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 at Spec Martin Stadium in DeLand.
Florida State pushed for Williams in the summer and could easily have been seen as a threat once again when UCF head coach Gus Malzahn departed for Tallahassee on Nov. 29 to become the Seminoles’ offensive coordinator. The Seminoles flipped prized Cocoa wide receiver Jayvan Boggs away from the Knights and could do the same in February with four-star offensive tackle Chastan Brown.
Four days later, Williams posted onto social media: “NFL draft picks can’t choose their coaches. With that being said, I’m staying committed to UCF. I’m ready to put on for Orlando.”
He wasn’t alone, either. UCF somewhat surprisingly managed to sign 11 players during the December window…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/under-armour-american-safety-tony-100627896.html
Author : Daytona Beach News-Journal
Publish date : 2025-01-04 10:06:00
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