Swansea linebacker is Clemson's first in-state commitment for 2019 class
Greg Williams didn’t waste much time when making his college choice.
Less than two weeks after receiving an offer from Clemson, the Swansea High linebacker committed to the ACC champions Thursday night.
“I couldn’t imagine being in this position few weeks ago,” Williams said. “But I loved Clemson when I went up there. I like the atmosphere. They really are passionate up there. Whether it is a coach or an assistant, they are passionate about what they do.”
The number of players Clemson has put in the NFL was a big factor in the decision, he said.
“It is a big defensive school," Williams said. "They've got a player in every position that is playing in the NFL.”
Williams is Clemson's first in-state pledge for the class of 2019 and the Tigers' 16th overall commitment. He also considered Missouri, Central Florida and East Carolina.
Williams plans on signing in December but doesn’t have plans to enroll early. 247Sports ranks the 6-foot-4, 235-pounder as a three-star prospect and No. 19 in the state for theclass of 2019. Williams led Swansea with 103 tackles last season.
Williams was offered after attending a camp June 9 and then made an official visit a week later. He toured the campus and got the chance to go down the slide in Clemson’s football building.
Williams spent more than two hours with members of the Swansea coaching staff and defensive coordinator Brent Venables watching film following his first trip to the camp.
Venables came away impressed from the film session, according to Swansea coach Greg Wright.
“Coach Venables had us in there for about two hours, and Greg was very interactive with him,” Wright said. “Coach Venables even made the comment about reading three-to-one (coverage). He said, 'I can’t even get my freshmen that come in now, and even some of my other guys that have been here to understand that concept.' That was an eye-opener for me.”
Wright, who played at South Carolina, compares Williams to former Gamecock Melvin Ingram, who played linebacker and grew into a defensive end and is playing in the NFL with San Diego Chargers.
Williams played inside linebacker last season but is moving outside for his senior season and likely will play on the outside for Clemson.
“I see him playing in that buck position on the next level that Carolina and Clemson play,” Wright said. “I think he can really excel on that if he continues to learn.”
Williams said moving to the outside has been a learning experience so far but he is trying to soak in all the new information and improve on his coverage skills.
“Most of the schools that offered me want to see me on the outside,” Williams said. “They want to see how I can come off the edge and use my speed.”
Williams comes from a football family. His father was a member on Swansea’s 1975 state title team and his two olderbrothers played at Swansea.
Williams also plays basketball at Swansea and averaged six points and 7.7 rebounds last season.
This story was originally published June 21, 2018 at 9:50 PM with the headline "Swansea linebacker is Clemson's first in-state commitment for 2019 class."