Amaris Williams sets NC State OV, updates recruitment
Amaris Williams put together a massive junior season in 2022, recording 44 tackles for loss and 18 sacks for Clinton High, establishing himself as the No. 1 defensive lineman in North Carolina.
He has a very strong bond with NC State, which helps the program contend with a power-five offer list that includes Oklahoma, USC, Florida, UNC and others. The Wolfpack hosted him twice this year— once for a junior day and again for spring practice.
During those visits, he got to know the campus better and spend more time with the coaching staff, which he said helped improve the Pack’s standing in the 6-3, 250-pound lineman’s recruitment. Williams said he has a solid relationship with defensive line coach Charley Wiles, and he appreciates the Wolfpack assistant’s track record with developing talent.
“Coach Wiles hits me up every day,” Williams said. “I talk to him a lot, so I would feel comfortable if I was to go there.”
NC State’s defensive scheme is a huge part of the Wolfpack’s pitch to the four-star lineman. Wiles’s three-man front is an ideal fit for the Clinton High star, who believes his skill set would help him thrive in Raleigh.
“They run a certain defense that not a lot of colleges run,” Williams said.
Head coach Dave Doeren also reaches out to Williams via text, letting him know that he is a top priority in the 2024 class.
“He’s just telling me that they would love for me to come there,” Williams said. “[I would be] a big part of their program if I was to come to State. They’re recruiting me pretty hard.”
Tennessee, Florida, Oklahoma, Auburn, Michigan and Alabama are all reaching out to the lineman right now. The Wolverines and Crimson Tide have not offered yet but, even if they do, he does not see it drastically changing his recruitment.
NC State and a pair of SEC programs are the three schools standing out the most right now.
“State and Tennessee or State and Florida,” Williams said.
He only visited Raleigh this spring but did make trips to Tennessee and UNC in January. Williams will spend June 9-11 with the Wolfpack on an official visit— his only scheduled official trip so far. It appears the Pack pulled away from its in-state rival over the past few moths.
“The relationship with UNC, it’s not big, but it’s there,” Williams said. “I would go there but, as of right now, it’s not really one of the colleges I’m really looking at.”
The defensive lineman shared why the opportunity to play in-state and represent North Carolina appeals to him.
“It means a lot,” Williams said. “I’d be close to home, close to family…
“It would feel really good to represent where you come from.”
Going into the summer, he plans on announcing his commitment August 15 so he can focus on football this fall. “A lot” of schools are still in contention to receive official visits.
The On3 Industry Ranking considers Williams the No. 290 recruit in the country, the No. 27 defensive lineman and the No. 8 prospect in North Carolina. NC State leads his Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM) at 52.7 percent.
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