Louisville football: Analyzing the commitment of legacy commitment Jaraye Williams

Louisville football lands stud linebacker Jaraye Williams

Assessment and Outlook

Fans should not only be excited to land Terrence Williams’ son but Jaraye Williams as a player. Just check out what 247Sports National Recruiting Editor Brandon Huffman had to say about Williams when he evaluated his tape in February.

"“Explosive and quick off the edge with ability to move in space and show fluidity in coverage. Needs to improve his strength and ability to shed blockers- uses his speed and quickness to get past blockers but if blocker engages, needs to work on disengaging. Needs to bulk up in upper body and develop moves. High level athleticism, former basketball player (father was NBA lottery pick) but still inexperienced. Projects as multi-year Power 5 starter and projects as third day pick.”"

Huffman also compared Williams to the Atlanta Falcons’ linebacker De’Vondre Campbell.

Watch: Jaraye Williams’ junior season highlights

Williams will likely need to add weight to his 197lb frame, but his speed and burst allow him to get involved in the majority of plays regardless if it’s chasing down opposing backs or in coverage. His versatility could find him playing multiple positions at the next level, whether its near the line or in the secondary.

Now with 11 commits, Louisville rises up to 27th in the 247Sports team recruiting rankings; Williams marks the eight pledge on the defensive side of the ball, but head coach Scott Satterfield and company has put an emphasis on increasing the unit’s depth and quality. Furthermore, bringing in players with the ability to get after the quarterback has been a priority for the Cardinals.

Related: Louisville football’s defensively-centered recruiting strategy

It is yet to be determined what position defensive coordinator Bryan Brown will have Williams playing, but versatility has become the name of the game for the Louisville defense. Getting guys who can roam around the field and make plays has been a focal point for Brown, and Williams fits the mold proficiently.

It can be inferred that he will be used in a fashion similar to that of Perry, in the CARD position. It is likely that Williams will be used in various schemes: as a pass-rusher, hybrid linebacker, and possibly a defensive back. As we saw with Clemson LB Isaiah Simmons, versatility and the ability to make plays are two very valuable skill sets to possess.

What can’t be disputed is that Satterfield has the ball rolling for the 2021 class. Louisville is killing it on the recruiting trail and the commitment from Williams pushes the pendulum further toward the next level that the team is trying to reach.