2015 Names To Watch: Reagan Williams Comment Count

Brandon Brown

Reagan Williams

Position: Linebacker/Tight End

Ht/Wt: 6'3" / 232 lbs.

Location: Jackson High School – Jackson, OH

Offers: Kent State, Ohio

Ranking: ★★★ .8599 (247 Composite)

Linebacker/Tight end prospect Reagan Williams was one of many recruits to attend The Game at The Big House a couple of weekends ago and I was able to chat with him about that a little bit. Williams is being recruited by most schools as a linebacker but the Michigan coaches appear to have a fondness for him at the tight end spot. Williams was a very nice kid to talk to and had some great things to say about his visit to Ann Arbor.

He was not shy at all about how much he enjoyed his visit to The Big House by saying, “It was awesome! One of my best visits yet.” He actually claimed it was a tie between Michigan and Michigan State. Not bad considering his other visits include trips to Ohio State, Penn State, Notre Dame, Northwestern, Cincinnati, and Louisville, among a few others.

The coaches in particular stuck out to Reagan while he was on his visit.

The coaching staff was very, very personable. I talked to every single position coach and they really made it feel like they have a family atmosphere with their players. The Big House was insane as well.

Reagan is an extremely intelligent kid, boasting a 4.0 GPA and a very respectable ACT score of 26, and that was easy to sense when I asked him if he had any type of affinity for his home-state Buckeyes. (Normally I wouldn’t post a test score like that but he’s proud of it and wants it to be public. It’s part of his profile on his HUDL link.)

I’m a big Buckeye fan. I have been since I was a little kid, but recruiting changes your outlook on a lot of things as far as seeing what every school has to offer. If Ohio State offered it would definitely be something that would be seriously considered. It hasn’t happened yet though so I can’t totally describe the emotions that would be involved.

I was surprised by how much he admitted to liking the Buckeyes, while at the same time ranking his Michigan visit above their rivals from Ohio.

Every visit has it’s pros and cons, but it seemed that the Michigan visit was VERY well organized.

As mentioned above the coaches have talked to Reagan about playing a fullback/h-back type of position because they really like how physical he is on both sides of the ball. Reagan says he doesn’t really have a preference he just wants to play wherever it helps his team the most.

When I asked him about his plans for his senior season, Williams said all of the right things about wanting to excel in the classroom, work toward a state championship, and develop a strong relationship with a coaching staff from a school that fits well for him. When it comes to fit, he said he must play for a coach and a team that has a strong tradition of defense and an emphasis on physicality. He doesn’t understand how the game can be played any other way. Pretty much the exact sentiment you’d expect from a fullback/linebacker.

With Michigan’s 2015 class being so limited on scholarships the staff has already informed Reagan that he is being evaluated but they have to be meticulous with who they offer. The coaches did say that they’d like to check Williams out in person sometime during the spring.

At the end of our conversation it came up that Williams is a die-hard Patriots and Tom Brady fan and that he was awestruck by Brady’s speech to Team 134 earlier this season. It’s pretty clear that the Michigan coaches have done well with Williams thus far, but if they and the Buckeyes get more involved in his recruitment, it sounds entirely realistic that the Wolverines could be on the outside looking in.

Comments

GoBLUinTX

December 9th, 2013 at 7:44 PM ^

wants him on the O side of the ball it's going to be a hard sell.  He says he'll play where needed but he is really saying is that he wants to play defense.  If somebody can convince him to change his mind and commit to Michigan as a TE, that recruiter deserves a bonus.

I don't know if these prospects read this site, presumably so.  With that in mind could we refer to them as young men rather than the diminutive "kids"?  

AlwaysBlue

December 9th, 2013 at 7:54 PM ^

I was thinking the same thing...he said the defensive tradition of a school is going to play a big part in his decision.  On the other hand, if someone can convince him that he has a better next level future on the other side of the ball maybe it would be more intriguing to him.

GoBLUinTX

December 10th, 2013 at 9:26 AM ^

recruiting a high value employee, in public discourse, would you refer to him as "kid"?  For instance, you're leading a group of college students through a tour of your facility and one of the staff asks you about the group.  Do you  say A)"These kids are....."  or do you say, "These young men and women....." ?  It's a professional thing, it's about respect.  These young men are making life altering decisions, adult decisions.  In my mind if they're making adult decisions they should be given the respect due an adult.

I'll now step my crickety bones down off the soap box.

 

Brandon Brown

December 10th, 2013 at 9:30 AM ^

It's a different arena. This is just kind of one of those things associated with sports. Announcers use it all the time, "Man, this kid is special.", "That is an explosive kid." It's just one of those terms that's used in sports. Even NFL guys do it when referring to rookies or young players. Not meant as a disrespect in any way.

randyfloyd

December 9th, 2013 at 9:20 PM ^

I have seen him play and he was always the best player on the field (not uncommon for someone with his talent, in SE Ohio). I do get the feeling that he prefers D but I think he would make am amazing H back. Also, his first name is great...

Princetonwolverine

December 9th, 2013 at 9:27 PM ^

Thanks for the nice, balanced write up. Hopefully he is also looking for a great education with his scores.

boliver46

December 10th, 2013 at 8:37 AM ^

(Normally I wouldn’t post a test score like that but he’s proud of it and wants it to be public. It’s part of his profile on his HUDL link.)

The fact that you have to add this disclaimer/cover context bothers me - and is indicative of the crap people have put you through lately. It's too bad.

boliver46

December 10th, 2013 at 9:53 AM ^

that people can't "consume" and appreciate what knowledge they WOULDN'T NORMALLY HAVE without nitpicking every little detail...leading to over explanation as to WHY knowledge was given.

Suppose this is the internetz and that's the way things are but feels crappy.

Space Coyote

December 10th, 2013 at 8:51 AM ^

Borderline at the SAM position. But he has good instincts for the ball and isn't afraid of contact. I think he's more a player to keep an eye on at this point, see how his athleticism grows into his senior year. If he gets a little bit more burst on his first step and works on his lateral quickness, then I think he's a pretty dang good prospect.

Space Coyote

December 10th, 2013 at 10:18 AM ^

I would have no problems with him being an H-back, as I think he has the skill set to play that position well. I would not call him a very good blocker though. At the high school level sure, but he would have to completely refine his technique for the college level. Now, being a willing blocker is certainly a step in the correct direction to do that, and probably the biggest hurdle to cross, but there is a distinction.

True Blue Grit

December 10th, 2013 at 3:19 PM ^

It sounds like an early offer from Michigan would go a long way in his case - especially if it were before Ohio's.  But I understand completely Michigan's dilemna this year with few scholarships to offer.  It also sounds like LB would be a better match overall.  Either way, I'd love to see a high-academic guy like this Go Blue down the road.  

bigmc6000

December 11th, 2013 at 9:13 AM ^

... when a kid from my HS conference (and bitter rival actually) would make the front page of MGoBlog (or even be a sought after recruit).  Of course I do have to say that Jackson's fight song is same as the Buckeyes and they also wear red - boo!!! 

 

Go Blue! (which is also what my HS was - Gallipolis).