OPINION: Emory Williams Has the Talent and ‘Intelligence’ To Lead Miami Football To Prominence
To begin, I had to ask the following question. There are many big-time arms in the world of college quarterbacks. However, how many of them possessed the intelligence to lead their team to victory during the most difficult of times? Think about that question as you read the rest of this article.
Having had the pleasure to get to know Emory Williams during his time at the Elite 11 Finals in California and during his high school senior season, I am here to tell you why the Miami Hurricanes found the right player to be the long-term quarterback.
During Elite 11, it was obvious to me that he had a different personality and could be a top college quarterback. That’s the biggest takeaway a Miami fan should have taken from this article. One way or another, Williams got the job done and he will continue to do so for the Hurricanes.
I didn’t care that he wasn’t ranked as high as some other players. His intangibles stood out. Williams also had better physical tools than many knew as well.
Williams threw the football well during the vast majority of drills during Elite 11 and outperformed several higher-ranked quarterbacks for three consecutive days. Those points combined were my second sign that Williams was one to watch. Here’s what the AllHurricanes staff wrote about Williams right after seeing him live for the first time:
"Upon first look, Williams has a baseball player feel to his game. His entire body is utilized when passing the football. It’s natural. It’s not a forced or unorthodox throwing motion. As Williams continues to improve strength and size, his velocity will also rise with that same motion."
You can read the full article here.
I still wanted to learn more about Williams. Gain a better feel for what had caused him to be the personality he was. While I never completely figured it out, I walked away impressed with the result. I'll tell you that.
Right before the 2022 season began, I drove up to Milton (Fla.) High School near Pensacola and watched Williams perform during practice. That’s when the light truly went on for me that Williams not only had a chance to start for Miami but to one day be a team leader and possible captain.
He held himself to a high standard during each play. Williams directed his teammates in a manner where he was respected, yet kept expectations high. Williams’ cerebral approach to the game of football – especially during passing drills – caught my attention.
Here’s an excerpt from the article I wrote after seeing Williams practice on that day.
"Williams will get after people when needed. He’s as nice a young man as one will meet, but Williams is also someone that’s competitive. He became vocal during times when it was needed."
Additionally, Williams’ intelligence was something that went into how he used his leadership skills. Don’t take my word for it. Here’s what Milton head football coach Kelly Gillis stated to me about his star quarterback on that same day.
“In all my years of coaching, and there have been a lot, I’ve never coached a more cerebral quarterback.”
After Williams reached Miami, did I think he would immediately be ready? Heck no! Freshmen quarterbacks have often been dreadful in college football and a redshirt year has long since been the best way to get ready for their quarterbacking future.
That’s why I was surprised at how well Williams handled the Miami win over Clemson. He made clutch throws and decisions that caught me a bit off guard. I should not have been. What I had witnessed was a testament to Williams as a person as much as a football player.
I’d seen that script before. Shame on me for not relying on it.
I was not fooled a second time with the Florida State contest. I knew that if the Hurricanes could get into the second half and keep the score relatively close, there was a chance for a fourth quarter to remember.
Of course, Williams succumbed to the arm injury and I certainly wish Williams a speedy recovery. No young man deserved that outcome. Williams will have brighter days ahead. So will Miami.
With Williams, Mario Cristobal and his coaching staff have added a talented passer and highly intelligent quarterback to their roster. Mark my words, Miami football will begin to thrive once Williams returns to the starting lineup.
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Fan Nation High school football recruiting analyst covering the state of Florida, as well as across the Southeastern United States and the state of Texas.