The Buchholz-to-Florida football pipeline has its next member with four-star rising senior receiver Justin Williams on Sunday announced his commitment to the Gators.
Williams’ announcement came hours after leaving his official visit with the program, where he revealed to reporters his decision.
“I actually didn’t know I was gonna do it today,” he said, according to Florida Gators on SI. “I thought I was either gonna, like, silently tell (Billy Napier), like, keep it on the low. But I was sitting in his office, and I just started thinking, I’m just gonna do it.”
The Buchholz star is coming off back-to-back stellar seasons to help lead the Bobcats to two state semifinal appearances. As a sophomore in 2023, he racked up 1,005 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns.
In 2024, he broke out as both the team’s leading receiver and leading rusher with 1,473 yards and 13 touchdowns as a receiver and another 1,023 yards and 16 touchdowns on the ground.
Williams, who set a school record with seven touchdowns in one game against Tocoi Creek (St. Augustine) on Oct. 14, became the first player in the state of Florida to record over 1,000 yards in both rushing and receiving since Devin Hester in 2002.
He was named to the 2024 Bosshardt Realty All Area big school offense as a result of his play.
“Justin Williams is the most prolific offensive player this area has seen in a long time,” head coach Mark Whittemore said after Williams’ naming to the team. “To be in the same breath as Hall of Famer Devin Hester is quite the accomplishment.”
Now, Williams is the latest Bobcat to commit to the hometown Gators. Recent Bobcats to enroll at Florida include 2024 linebackers Myles Graham and Matthew Kade, 2023 offensive lineman Bryan Rosenberg and 2023 defensive lineman Gavin Hill, who has since transferred.
The Gators, at one point, also held commitments from quarterback Creed Whittemore, who is now at Utah, and defensive end Kendall Jackson, who is now at Texas A&M.
The ability to stay close to home played a significant role in Williams’ decision to choose Florida over the likes of Florida State, Kentucky, Missouri and Indiana.
“It played a lot. I grew up coming to the games,” he said. “My mom could just drive 20 minutes down the road, come to the games. It’s just really cool seeing all my friends at the games in the stands.”
This past fall, Williams finished second in the voting for the Florida Dairy Farmers Class 6A Player of the Year. He was also recognized as the Gainesville Quarterback Club Offensive Player of the Year.
