The Oak Ridge to Georgia pipeline continues.
For the second time this month, a highly-rated member of the War Eagles defense committed to the defending two-time national champion Bulldogs and head coach Kirby Smart.
Five-star linebacker Justin Williams made his intentions known by committing to Georgia Monday evening.
Williams joins War Eagles teammate Joseph Jonah-Ajonye, who made the same announcement that he is heading to Athens next year back on July 6. Jonah-Ajonye is a four-star defensive lineman.
Williams made his announcement live on ON3 Sports’ YouTube channel. Williams was joined in his home by family and close friends, who cheered loudly when he sported the Georgia cap.
Williams, via 247Sports, is rated the No. 16 overall Class of 2024 prospect in the country, the No. 3 prospect in Texas and the No. 2 linebacker in the country. His top two included the Oregon Ducks.
“I knew it was going to be Georgia,” Williams said during the broadcast. “I still believe that Oregon could be a great place for me. You never know what the future holds. As of right now, I think I’m locked in with Georgia.”
The first national signing period takes place starting December 20 with the second signing period starting on Feb. 7, 2024.
Williams said during the broadcast he made the decision in the past week and hadn’t even told Smart yet.
“(Georgia is getting) a dog,” Williams said during the broadcast. “A straight dog. Go be a leader and get after it. I’m a positive person and that’s what God has led me to be.”
Williams, who measures 6-foot-2 and 205 pounds, has 37 offers (according to 247Sports), including virtually every major program in Texas as well as eight in the SEC and seven in the PAC-12.
Williams made his official visit to George back on June 23.
As a junior in 2022, Williams was the Montgomery County Defensive MVP as well as in District 13-6A. He totaled 105 tackles (70 solo) and harassed the quarterback to the tune of eight and a half sacks. He also put down the ball carrier 18 times for a loss and disrupted seven passes.
Williams’ elevation to a terror at linebacker took time. He was new to the position last year after spending his sophomore year in the secondary and was a running back prior to that.
Georgia, meanwhile, has been a landing spot for elite defenders. The Bulldogs allowed 12.8 points per game in 2022, the second least amount in the NCAA. Georgia then had two first-round selections in the 2023 NFL Draft – both to Philadelphia – in defensive tackle Jalen Carter (No. 9) and outside linebacker Nolan Smith (No. 31).
Williams is one of three Class of 2024 members in the Top 20 for Texas high school football recruiting. Jonah-Ajonye is currently ranked No. 12 by 247Sports while running back Frankie Arthur, a four-star recruit, is rated No. 20. Arthur holds 19 offers and has yet to decide his destination in 2024.
The War Eagles enter 2023 looking to reach the playoffs for the third time in four years under head coach Mark Schmid. Oak Ridge was 7-4 last season and 6-2 in District 13-6A for a third place finish. It lost 45-20 to Dekaney in the bi-district round.
