Jonah Williams, the No. 8 prospect in the ESPN 300 and the top-ranked outside linebacker in the 2025 class, announced his commitment to Texas on Saturday, securing a significant recruiting win for head coach Steve Sarkisian and the Longhorns. Williams, a five-star recruit from Galveston, Texas, chose Texas over Texas A&M, USC, LSU, and Oregon after visiting each program. The 6-foot-5, 205-pound standout, who also excels in baseball, plans to play both sports at Texas.
As a junior at Ball High School, Williams earned Texas District 9-5A D-I Defensive Player of the Year honors with 58 tackles and four interceptions, three of which he returned for touchdowns. Heading into his senior season, he aims to build on his impressive defensive versatility, which has him projected to start at safety for Texas.
Williams cited the opportunities Texas offers beyond sports and his strong connection with the coaching staff as key factors in his decision. “The opportunities with life after football were part of my choice,” Williams explained. Texas’ recruitment, spearheaded by safeties coach Blake Gideon and defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski, intensified in the final weeks, culminating in a successful unofficial visit that sealed Williams’ commitment.
This marks a turning point for Texas’ recruiting efforts after earlier misses on top in-state prospects. Williams is the Longhorns’ highest-rated commitment since quarterback Arch Manning in 2023 and their top linebacker recruit since Jordan Hicks in 2010. His pledge follows recent commitments from four-star wide receiver Kaliq Lockett and offensive tackle Nicolai Brooks, bolstering Texas’ 2025 class, which now includes 10 ESPN 300 recruits.
Williams’ addition strengthens a defensive unit that has seen significant improvement under Kwiatkowski. If he signs with Texas, Williams will join a rising defense and contribute to Texas’ push for sustained success. With his commitment, only two ESPN top-10 recruits in the 2025 class remain uncommitted, adding intrigue to the upcoming recruiting season.
Leave a Reply