Louisiana’s top 2013 recruit Tim Williams commits to Nick Saban and Alabama

Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban addresses the media during the winning coach press conference at Harbor Beach Marriott Resort & Spa following Alabama’s 42-14 win over Notre Dame in the 2013 BCS National Championship game. (John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports)

In what is a huge coup for Alabama, four-star defensive end Tim Williams has cancelled the rest of his scheduled official visits after making the decision to commit to the Crimson Tide.

Williams, listed at 6-foot-4 and 230 pounds, is ranked as the nation’s No. 36-overall player. Making this decision even bigger in terms of rivalry is the fact that Williams is currently rated as the best high school football player in the entire state of Louisiana — meaning Tide coach Nick Saban yanked Williams out from right under the nose of LSU’s Les Miles.

“At Alabama, I know all of the coaches, and they’ve been recruiting me since my ninth grade year,” Williams said after his visit. “I know Coach Nick Saban well. I know Coach [Burton] Burns well. Alabama was the first school to start looking at me, and they gave me my first offer.”

The Baton Rouge native had plans to visit Miami, Florida State and, yes, his hometown LSU, but called all of them off only 24 hours after making his official trip to Tuscaloosa.

The big man played defensive end in high school, but he understands the speed, strength and skillset needed to play LB. Williams told TideNation that he already sees himself moving to outside linebacker in Alabama’s 3-4 scheme. He said he feels equally comfortable at the Sam linebacker position, which means he will always be lining up on the same side of the field as the tight end, or at the Jack, which means he would be spending some of his time in a three-point stance as a fourth defensive lineman. Generally, passing situations would dictate utilizing the extra pass rusher.

“Basically, I can play Jack or Sam — the Sam more than the Jack — but they said I can play both positions because of my speed,” Williams said.

Of Alabama’s 21 total commits for the 2013 season, 10 of them now rank among the ESPN150. The class ranks behind only Florida in terms of talent.

Check out the entire ESPN300 and where each player is headed right here.

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