re: Class of 2018 Recruiting MEGATHREAD: So Long Old Friend Edition

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Williams sticks with Alabama

Xavier Williams has been committed to Alabama for little more than a month now and has seen former offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian leave for the Atlanta Falcons, former wide receivers coach Billy Napier leave for Arizona State and Mike Locksley move from being an offensive analyst for Alabama to the team’s wide receivers coach.

That’s a whole lot of shifting around for a recruit who’s been committed for a short time period, but the shuffling of coaches hasn’t phased the 4-star wide receiver from Chaminade-Madonna High School (Hollywood, Fla.). In fact, the Alabama staff has been in constant communication with Williams.

“They have just showed even more love,” Williams told SEC Country this past weekend at the Miami Opening regional. “Even with the new coaches, I had to give them a chance. They haven’t fallen off.”

Congrats to WR Xavier Williams (@zayborghini_6) of Chaminade-Maddona Prep (FL) on his invite to #TheOpening Finals! pic.twitter.com/gNzjPnz9lP

— The Opening (@TheOpening) February 27, 2017

Locksley visited Williams the day after his commitment to Alabama in January, and the two have been building a relationship since then. Williams was expected to be in Tuscaloosa this past weekend but ended up not making the trip in order to compete at The Opening camp. He was one of the top wide receivers in attendance and earned an invitation to the finals, which are held in Oregon this summer.

The new wide receivers coach called Williams on Saturday to wish him luck and see when he’ll make it to Tuscaloosa.

“He was trying to see how soon I can come because they just had a junior day on (Saturday),” Williams said. “I’m going to their spring game on April 22.”

The nation’s No. 2 athlete has actually never been to Alabama before, which is surprising because recruits, for the most part, usually visit a school at least one time before committing. Every time he’s had the chance to visit Tuscaloosa with friends, he’s had a game or practice.

So, why did Williams commit to Alabama without ever being there?

“I’m very comfortable with it because they’ve shown love to my parents,” Williams said. “They make them feel like more of a priority than me.”

The 6-foot-1, 185-pound prospect has told SEC Country before that he wants to be the alpha dog of the Tide’s Class of 2018. Williams’ teammate at Chaminade-Madonna is defensive back Shaun Shivers, who’s committed to Auburn. Shivers is trying to flip Williams to the Tigers, but don’t expect that to happen.

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