What it Means: LSU moves into lead group for 5-star DB
5-star Jonah Williams had been rated as the nation’s top linebacker prospect, but with LSU and others targeting him at safety, he’s now ranked by On3 as the No. 1 safety in the 2025 class.
Williams has taken in plenty of college tours this spring, including a top at LSU. Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Texas A&M and Southern Cal are among the other programs that got Williams to campus.
These six programs are the main schools in contention to land Williams, who is thinking about committing over the summer, he tells On3’s Chad Simmons.
“There’s a couple of schools above the rest,” he said.
One of those schools: LSU, a program he told On3 is joined by Texas A&M and Oregon at the top of his list of suitors.
The 6-foot-3, 205-pound defensive back is taking official visits to the Trojans (May 31-June 2), Aggies (June 6-8), Tigers (June 14-16) and Ducks (June 21-23)
As for leaders, Williams circled a trio of schools in LSU, Texas A&M and Oregon.
“I am looking for a school that really feels like home,” said Williams, the No. 11 overall prospect and No. 1 safety in the 2025 On3 Industry Ranking. “I want it to be a place where when I step on campus, it feels like I can live there for the next three-to-four years.”
Texas A&M and LSU have the attention of Williams
Texas A&M has already hosted Williams plenty of times, including twice since Mike Elko became the Aggies’ new head coach in the offseason.
“They’re dedicated and building strong relationships with the recruits,” Williams said. “They are building tight bonds with them.”
LSU is also pushing to get Williams into the SEC, a charge led by one of LSU’s new hires on the defensive side. The Tigers have been “consistent and aggressive” in recruiting him, Williams told On3, adding that he’s in frequent contact with his primary recruiter in first-year safeties coach Jake Olsen.
“LSU has always been a favorite,” Williams said. “It was my favorite school growing up, so I’ve always had them up there. I like the atmosphere on game days and the coaching. They just had Tyrann Mathieu come speak to the players.
“I really like coach Olsen as a coach and as a man. He’s a really great guy.”
What does it mean for the Tigers moving forward?
Beyond a top group of LSU, Texas A&M and Oregon, there will be others to keep an eye on.
Oklahoma was “at the top” in Williams’ recruitment at one point, sources tell the On3 staff. While they aren’t in his current lead group, head coach Brent Venables has the Sooners still in the mix.
A key reason why is head coach Brent Venables.
Texas is another program who has gotten Williams to campus a number of times, a key reason he said he doesn’t have current official visits planned to either Texas or Oklahoma, but added that they would “for sure” be in the race for his commitment.
What does it all mean for LSU?
Sources have maintained for months that they felt this would come down to LSU and Texas A&M, and both schools are among his top three.
There are a trio things to watch that will have LSU firmly in the mix: development, proximity and baseball.
LSU’s new defensive staff should yield better results on the field, but the program’s track record of development and churning out NFL defensive backs is well-documented – and something Williams has taken full notice of.
Then, there’s distance. LSU and Texas A&M hold the edge over Oregon on this front, and the Tigers flipped a Beaumont native from the Aggies this past cycle with the addition of On3 5-star offensive tackle Weston Davis. With border prospects, LSU always has a fighting chance against the in-state teams in the Lone Star State.
Third, keep an eye on baseball. That’s where the Aggies and Tigers could really separate from the pack given both programs have talented programs. Williams wants an opportunity to test his hand at both in college, and we’ve seen LSU two-sport athletes pull it off before. The LSU baseball staff’s involvement coming off a College World Series win doesn’t hurt when Williams make his official visit to campus.
Stay tuned to The Bengal Tiger and On3 for more on the No. 1 safety prospect in the 2025 class.
The post What it Means: LSU moves into lead group for 5-star DB appeared first on On3.
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