Oregon coaches fired up in pursuit of elite linebacker, tussling with Will Stein

Drew Williams plays fast. He crashes down on running plays, a tough-minded player who fills and flows, pursuing with 4.47 speed.

In Canton, Georgia last season the Cherokee Tribune named him Cherokee County Defensive Player of the Year last season after he paced the Sequoyah Chiefs to an 11-1 record with 135 tackles and eight sacks.

Griffin Callaghan of the Tribune wrote, "Drew Williams was a game-wrecker on the Sequoyah defense this season, blowing up plays at the line of scrimmage and instilling fear in the eyes of opposing quarterbacks."

He's visiting the Oregon Ducks this weekend, the first of four official trips to his finalists, Oregon, Miami, Kentucky and Florida. Dan Lanning and the Ducks have to overcome serious challenges from Will Stein and Mario Cristobal to lock up his commitment.

Need at linebacker is acute after shallow classes in recent cycles

Lanning and linebacker coach Brian Michalowski need to make a statement this weekend, because the Ducks seek help at the position in the class of 2027. Bryce Boettcher has graduated. Devon Jackson and Jerry Mixon are seniors. They've recruited lightly at the position in recent cycles, just one linebacker in 2025 in Bradenton, Florida product Gavin Nix, Tristan Phillips and Braylon Hodge in Oregon's incoming class.

It's not just manning the MAC and the Money, the inside linebacker spots. Linebackers are the backbone of defensive depth, the nucleus of special teams muscle. A position that demands contact at speed and mobility, numbers and versatility are crucial.

While Oregon spends most of its defensive roster budget at edge rusher and in the secondary, smart, capable players in the middle are a precious resource. Williams is 6-1, 200, the No. 505 player nationally and the No. 9 linebacker according to the 247Sports Composite.

He displays a nose for the football and attacks downhill. First team All-Region as a junior, he's been laser timed at 4.47 in the 40, piling up 10.4 tackles per game and a season total of 13 tackles for loss. A sure tackler, he runs down ball carriers in the open field and pursues sideline-to-sideline, wrapping up the legs with discipline and purpose.

Watch him destroy a receiver screen beyond the far hash mark. He steps up to plant himself in the A gap, drive a helmet into the tailback's chest and knock him back. On the blitz he's quick but under control, taking away the quarterback's passing arm, creating a turnover.

He diagnoses well and reads his keys, and the disciplined eyes give him great range. The every-down intensity is evident. There's second effort and coaches covet his ability to play fast without sacrificing discipline and control.

His speed allows him to clean up plays in pursuit while taking good angles to the ball with relentless effort. Williams shows great habits and coachability.

Despite his three-star grade he's a player Lanning and defensive coordinator Chris Hampton would love to add to the 2027 class, provided they can hold off Cristobal and Stein. It's a battle to follow coming out of his official visit this weekend.

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