Absolute shocker: Florida fans reeling after S Avantae Williams chooses Miami over Gators
It was seen as a lock for the Gators at a position of need, but in the end, Florida fans are left reeling after a top tier safety — Avantae Williams — chose to play at Miami and not for coach Dan Mullen’s program.
Florida fans have been concerned about the recruiting efforts of multiple assistants on Mullen’s staff, and this is the latest example that will fuel their fire.
The announcement for Williams came after he was heavily expected to sign with Florida. All 12 of the “crystal ball” predictions on his 247Sports page had him going to the Gators.
Williams had an active recruitment. He was committed to Miami about a year and a half ago. The Under Armour All-America player then committed to Oregon but then backed off.
Williams is the No. 2-ranked safety in this year’s recruiting class, according to the 247 Sports composite rankings.
Here’s some reaction to Williams choosing Miami over Florida:
Terrible NSD for the Gators. Beck to Tenn, can’t flip a RB from COLORADO, and Avantae Williams picks Miami over UF. Fire Knox and fire English, can’t recruit and can’t coach.
— Eddy Morales (@boriboy55) February 5, 2020
Big miss for the Gators with #1 Safety Avantae Williams signing with the Canes. UF felt very good about their chances but in the end it looks like his long time relationship with the Miami staff is what won out.
— CONNER (@CJ_Clarke1) February 5, 2020
Avantae Williams actually chose UM. This hurts.
— Gabriel Sosa (@SosaSportsTalk) February 5, 2020
WCC: In an absolutely shocker Avantae Williams picks Miami over Florida. This is a huge hit to the class as UF misses one of the top prospects in the state at a position of need. https://t.co/TqrLwrmIzf
— Mark Wheeler (@InsideTheGators) February 5, 2020
When you see Avantae Williams didn’t sign with UF after all that talk this week that he was a lock. pic.twitter.com/40rkGRvpWp
— Six Beers Deep Seminoles (@6_BeersDeep) February 5, 2020
Avantae Williams, the #2 safety in the country by 247Sports composite rankings, spurns Florida Gators and chooses the Miami Hurricanes in one of the biggest surprises this national signing day #Miami #TheU #NSD2020
— Gaboowins (@GabyUrrutia22) February 5, 2020
Yeah so Ron English might not have a job for too much longer. He did land Rashad Torrence, who is a baller, but letting Avantae Williams go to Miami is absolutely unacceptable. That’s just embarrassing.
Then again: staff continuity has been critical to Mullen’s success so far…
— InAllKindsOfWeather.com (@AllKindsWeather) February 5, 2020
Avantae Williams Conmits To “Da U” Over Florida…Ed Reed Paying Dividends Already….No Family Reunion For Lingard
— Da2LiveCrU (@Da2LiveCrU) February 5, 2020
I wonder if the hire of Ed Reed persuaded Avantae Williams to pick Miami over Florida
— (@CFBMania_) February 5, 2020
I swear on everything I thought Avantae Williams was a Florida lock
— Chris (@ChrisNano10) February 5, 2020