3-star DE Alex Williams flips from West Virginia, signs with Ohio State in Early Signing Period

When five-star prospect Brenton Cox decommitted from Ohio State, it left a big hole in the Buckeyes 2018 recruiting class at defensive end. Fast forward a few weeks, and Urban Meyer and company might have found a local prospect to help fill the void left by Cox.

Pickerington North standout Alex Williams flipped his commitment from West Virginia to Ohio State just a day ahead of the Early Signing Period, and has made this official with a signed Letter of Intent.

A Mountaineer pledge since May, Williams has decided his chance to suit up in the Scarlet and Gray was just too much to pass up and is now a future Buckeye.

Williams, the 32nd weakside defensive end, and 591st overall prospect in the class of 2018, per the 247Sports Composite Rankings, was a problem off the edge for Pickerington North all season long as a senior.

A tough matchup at 6’7 and 250 pounds, the three-star rated prospect racked up nearly 40 total tackles and four quarterback sacks to help pace the Panthers to an overall record of 10-3 and deep run into the state playoffs.

Williams should have a chance to see the field rather early on during his time at Ohio State. With just three returning defensive ends from 2017, he’ll have a good shot to snatch up a spot on Larry Johnson’s rotation of fresh bodies when he reaches campus.

Recruited to OSU as an athlete, if things don’t work on defense there is also a chance Williams could end up on offense at tight end, with Kierre Hawkins, and A.J. Alexander no longer with the team.

Scouting Report

Alex Williams has a tendency to rip past the offensive line—allowing him to be right in the grill of the quarterback. If an offense operates out of the shotgun, option, or even under center, Williams will find his way to the ball. When he gets through the line, he instinctively hunts for the ball, causing big losses, stops, and deflected passes along the way. Especially in passing situations, he times his jump just right so he can get a hand on the ball to deflect it away from the intended target.

Williams also has wheels, too. He can hustle down the field to make tackles from behind.

Even though he’s graded as a three-star, according to the 247sports composite, Williams can be a difference maker.

-Geoff Hammersley

Highlights