Class of 2026 No.2 LB places Tide in Top Five Schools

Thursday, January 16, 2025. Izayia Williams, On3's second-best linebacker in the 2026 class, revealed to On3 Recruiting his top five colleges, which included Alabama, Florida, Florida State, Penn State, and Georgia.

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Williams recently completed his junior season at Tavares High School in Leesburg, Florida, where he totaled 137 tackles, including six sacks and 22 tackles for loss.

Williams, a naturally athletic junior linebacker, stands 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighs 215 pounds. His versatility allows him to play both on the line and in pass coverage. In the past season, he emerged as the second-ranked linebacker in the 2026 class, returning an interception for a touchdown. His impressive statistics reflect his ability to disrupt coverage; he recorded five pass breakups this season alone. Williams demonstrates exceptional skill in absorbing blocks and punishing any running back he encounters in the hole. He plays with remarkable patience and effectively hits his gaps downhill.

Izayia Williams Junior Year Highlights

The highly regarded linebacker prospect has been committed to several teams, particularly in the ACC. Williams was initially committed to Florida State but decommitted from the Seminoles on November 7, 2024. Prior to his commitment to Florida State on September 4, 2024, the four-star linebacker was committed to Syracuse from April to August 2024. Additionally, he was previously committed to Louisville from November 2023 to January 2024.

Williams has not yet visited Tuscaloosa but is expected to be on Alabama's campus next month. The four-star linebacker spoke highly of the Crimson Tide's coaching staff and the SEC overall. In an conversation with On3's Hunter Shelton, Williams expressed, "I love the energy during the games and stuff. The coaches, they've got a plan for everybody they recruit." He also stated, "I believe SEC football is the best football to play in college, so I think that's what it is. Alabama has great coaches."

This would be a significant addition to Kalen Deboer and the Crimson Tide's 2026 recruiting class, which is currently ranked outside of the top 40 classes in the country and 11th in the SEC according to On3. The Tide has only one commit so far in the 2026 class, with 4 star cornerback Zyan Gibson signing with the Crimson Tide on Christmas Eve.

Williams is expected to be in Tuscaloosa next month, where Coach Deboer and his staff want to win over the highly ranked linebacker and eventually add him to the 2026 class, which is currently missing depth.

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