Williams Does it All for Broncos

A player that does not get enough attention on the South Florida high school football scene is Homestead athlete Ricardo Williams. The talented 6-foot-5, 208-pound Williams lined up at defensive end and outside linebacker for the Bronco’s defense, while moving to wide receiver once Homestead moved the ball into the red zone.

“They call me the red zone man,” said Williams on his exploits as a receiver. “Every time we get inside the 20 they put me in and run me on a fade. Most of the time they throw it to me I catch it and score.”

His jump ball skills are just an example of the athleticism Williams brings to the field. His speed off the edge helped him recorded 13 sacks through only nine games this season, and his agility at outside linebacker was impressive. While a majority of the colleges likes Williams at defensive end, there is at least one school looking to play him at outside linebacker in college.

“Most of the schools are looking at me as defensive end, but Florida State is looking at me at outside linebacker and stuff like that so I can move side to side,” said Williams.

No matter the plans for Williams in the future, he has a host of schools eye balling one of the top 2011 prospect in Dade County. A lot of his interest picked up just before 2010 signing day.

“I know Florida, I talked to Coach Urban Meyer, he said he was going to be after me. I talked to Florida State again, there have been a lot of schools coming through. I talked to Central Florida, they’ve been after me. I’ve been talking to their coach on the phone, stuff like that. Right after signing day, they’ve been coming after me heavy. Texas Tech, they’re on me heavy right now and talking to me a lot.”

Williams talked more about that conversation he had with the Gators’ head coach, Urban Meyer.

“He was trying to get the other D-end Darrin Kitchens so he called and was talking to him, then he started talking to me. He (Kitchens) committed so he said ‘he got Darrin Kitchens now he’s working his way to get me now.’”

Williams reports early offers from FIU and Syracuse. While there are plenty of more offers to come, and his recruitment is far from over, Williams has an idea of what he is looking for in the program he chooses.

“I’m looking for a winning program that goes to bowl games every year. A place I can show my skills and have playing time. I’d love to go to a school out of state, but I’d prefer to stay in state so I can be closer to my family.”

This offseason Williams’s focus has been on putting time in the weight room to add strength. A slender frame already, the talented pass rusher is trying to add weight lost during his basketball season.

“I’ve been working with my head coach one-on-one,” said Williams of his weight training. “I’m putting on weight, getting bigger, faster, and stronger, getting ready for the camp coming up. I’m going to the Under Armour Camp and I’m going to the NIKE camp. Right now, I’m staying at 208 (pounds). I lost weight because I was playing basketball.”

As far as next fall, Williams already has goals in place for himself as well as his team.

“My goal for next season is try to make 1st team All-Dade instead of 2nd team, get better, and get more sacks. I couldn’t show as much because we couldn’t get to the playoffs. Our goal is to make the playoffs and make a run for the state championship.”

Continue to follow Williams’ recruitment at SoFLAfootball.com