Please Read: Welcome to the new-look Inside the Gators
- Getting to Know: Jerrae Hawkins
- Getting to Know: Joey Slackman
- Getting to Know: Fletcher Westphal
- Class of 2024 Recruiting Superlatives
- Fletcher Westphal’s mother talks about the in-home visit with Florida
- Watch & Read: Napier discusses signing class, transfer portal and changes to staff
- 25-Game Report Card: The numbers don’t look good
Mike Williams committed to the University of Florida on June 12, 2023, shortly after he decommitted from South Carolina in May. The 6-foot-7 310-pound offensive lineman is ranked as the No. 34 overall tackle in the class of 2024.
Williams was recruited by Coach Rob Sale and Coach Darnell Stapleton based on his size to help revamp the offensive line. Williams signed his letter of intent with Florida on December 20, 2023, as an official member of the early signing day class.
Inside the Gators, Alyssa Britton-Harr got to know Williams a little better in this edition of Getting to Know.
GETTING TO KNOW MIKE WILLIAMS
FOOTBALL/RECRUITING
Talk us through the process of decommitting from South Carolina, what was going through your mind during that process?
“As you know I decommitted from South Carolina, and I had a strong relationship with them. I have known people that attend the university now on the football team. It really just came down to what position I was going to be playing, and after I committed, I was told I was going to be playing guard, and I am not a guard. I know for a fact that I am not a guard, so I decided to decommit and explore my options.”
Now, take us through the process that led to your commitment to Florida. What was that experience like for you?
“I only wanted to play SEC football, so I had some options, but at the end of the day I contacted Florida, Coach [Billy] Napier, Coach Sale, and Coach Stapleton. Coach Sale came to see me at a workout when I was still committed to South Carolina because I had told him what I was going to do. When he came to see me, I told him I wanted to take an official visit, I had never been there before. Then it came down to who can develop me more and become a better player, and I thought it would be Florida.”
What stood out to you about the new facility?
“Where I am from there are only Big Ten schools, so the facilities are way better in the SEC, the coaching, and the competition is better.”
What was the most appealing part of the University of Florida?
“It’s right next to where my parents live, they live in Florida and are going to buy something near Cocoa Beach.”
Florida has now had three straight losing seasons, does that at moments give you a cause to pause and rethink your decision?
“No, I know what I signed up for.”
What is your impression of the Florida fanbase based on what you see on social media?
“They are really not patient, ‘Rome wasn’t built in a day,’ is what I say. If I could tell them anything I would tell them to be patient and stay down. Our time is coming, especially with this class.”
Which school came in second for you and why?
“It was Michigan State because I built a strong bond with one of the coaches and I looked towards him for a lot of advice. It was Michigan State and at times Maryland.”
What is your favorite football memory?
“Going to the state championship with my team last year as a junior, I have never made it that far before.”
What would you say are some of your greatest strengths as a football player?
“I am smart on and off the field. I have a vision that some offensive linemen do have, but also that most don’t. It just depends on who the offensive lineman is. I am a nasty run blocker, I am getting quicker on my feet, and I am smart on the field.”
What do you really need to work on the most when you get to Florida?
“Just getting stronger, once I get stronger and get that college strength, it’s over for me. The ceiling is the limit.”
Who is the prospect that you have talked to the most from the Class of 2024?
“Marcus Mascoll, I met him on an official visit, we both loved Florida. I was in his year when he was going to go to LSU, but now he is locked in with Florida and he is going to be my roommate.”
PERSONAL
What is your major?
“Finance or Business.”
What’s your favorite quality in a teammate?
“A strong work ethic.”
Who are you looking forward to playing alongside? Or getting to know on the team?
“QB1 DJ Lagway.”
What is your favorite professional football team?
“The Seattle Seahawks because I grew up being a Russell Wilson fan.”
Who is your favorite professional football player right now? Why?
“Tyron Smith is my favorite because he plays the exact same position as me, wears the same number, and is a dog.”
Is there a person, sports personality or not, that has had an influence on your life?
“Both of my trainers. My offensive line coach went to Louisville and went to play for the Bengals, Aaron Epps. I really started from the ground up with him, he taught me how to kick, and worked on my technique. I remember waking up at 6 a.m. going to the gym to workout with Epps, and he was busy; he only had one or two days off. He would come to train me and that was a big part of my journey.”
What are three things on your bucket list?
“Graduate college, have a plan b to know what I want to do after college if football doesn’t work out, and in the football, aspect be SEC First All-Team.”
What would be your first purchase if you were drafted as the first-round pick by the NFL?
“My first purchase would be to get my uncle a house.”
Where do you see yourself in five years from now?
“If not in the NFL, probably moving somewhere on the east coast, probably to Atlanta with my family. Probably become an entrepreneur with a little business on the side, and just living life. I probably would become a coach too.”
If you had a chance to spend the day with a celebrity, who would it be?
“Trey Williams so he can teach me all about the game.”
What is one item that you cannot live without? Why?
“My phone because I talk to people a lot and keep tabs.”
What are your favorite types of music? Do you have a favorite artist or song?
“I listen to R&B and Rap. My favorite artists would have to be, The Weekend and Brent Faiyaz and my favorite song by Brent would have to be Indonesia Fantasies.”
What is your favorite movie?
“Paid in Full.”
What is your favorite TV show?
“Invincible.”
If you could go on a dream date with anyone, who would it be?
“I would have to say Beyonce.”
What is your favorite meal or favorite food to cook?
“My favorite food and meal is anything Buffalo-related, like dip or chicken wings. My favorite thing to cook would have to be what my auntie makes with spinach, turkey neck, and red peppers that is my favorite to cook.”
Walk us through some of your pregame rituals?
“First, I have to get the knee brace on, then I go out to the field before warmups just to get a little bearings on my feel. Work on my kick, my run blocking steps, then I go back into the locker room and put some music on and envision the game before. Then I finish getting taped up then go back out there for warmups, come back to the locker room, then I am locked in.”
If you could spend an entire day with anyone in history, who would that be?
“Jackie Robinson.”
Orange or Blue?
“Blue.”
Favorite flavor of Gatorade?
“Cool Blue, the best flavor in the world.”
What is one thing about you that Gator Nation would be surprised to find out about?
“That I am Native American.”
What’s your message to Gator Nation?
“Stay down, we are on the come up.”
Leave a message for your future self.
“I’m proud of you, that you made it this far.”
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