DL Amaris Williams Flips Pledge From Florida to Auburn on ESD

Defensive lineman Amaris Williams flipped his commitment from the Florida Gators to the Auburn Tigers on Early Signing Day.

The Florida Gators' once third-ranked 2024 recruiting class took another substantial, but expected, hit on Early National Signing Day.

Clinton (N.C.) High defensive line prospect Amaris Williams announced his flip from Florida to Auburn on Wednesday, bringing a near-five-month pledge to the Gators from one of the nation's top-rated defenders to an end.

He's officially signed with the Tigers.

The #️⃣1️⃣ player in North Carolina is headed to Auburn 🦅

𝐒𝐈𝐆𝐍𝐄𝐃 → @AmarisWilliam13
🏠 Clinton, NC
🏈 Defensive Line pic.twitter.com/OGIeWTtHMX

— Auburn Football (@AuburnFootball) December 20, 2023

Williams, who was projected to operate in the Gators' F-end role along the team's defensive line, is the No. 84 player in the nation, according to 247Sports Composite.

He was the fourth-highest-rated member of the 2024 class compiled by Billy Napier and Co.

Williams earned vast recognition as a dynamic two-way athlete at the prep level, doubling as a running back for the Dark Horses. In doing so, he's showcased impressive twitch, speed and athleticism for someone 6-foot-3, 270 pounds. It's flashed in his work as a pass rusher, as he displays an impressively quick first step and the ability to track down ball carriers as the backside defensive end.

The traits piqued the Gators' interest early in his recruitment process, which Williams reciprocated in the spring and early summer by naming Florida his leader despite never visiting Gainesville.

When he made his first trek in June, Williams committed.

He held strong to his UF pledge despite concerted interest from other programs. However, the Gators' below-average season, paired with the concerted pursuit of programs like Auburn, Georgia, and Ohio State, played a vital role in Williams' exploration of other options in his recruitment process.

Ultimately, he elected to flip from the Gators in favor of Hugh Freeze's upwardly trending Tigers.

Florida maintains commitments from two defensive front prospects in the class of 2024 as a result: Daytona Beach (Fla.) defensive end LJ McCray and Hampton (Ga.) nose tackle Michai Boireau.

Boireau signed with UF on Wednesday, while McCray recently elected to prolong his process.

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