SPORTS

Darrell Williams to bring winning ways to Auburn

James Crepea
Montgomery Advertiser
Mississippi All Star Brady Davis of Starkville High School has a pass blocked by Alabama All Star Darrell Williams of Hoover High School during the Alabama-Mississippi All Star Game at Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Ala., on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2014.

A UBURN – Darrell Williams is used to winning.

It comes with the territory when you play at a powerhouse like Hoover, which went 42-2 and won three straight state championships during Williams' tenure as a member of the Buccaneers defense.

"He's always kind of been the leader of the group," Hoover coach Josh Niblett said. "His physical abilities of what he can do on the field kind of speak for themselves. … He understands the meaning of true leadership."

The four-star linebacker prospect hopes to continue his winning ways at Auburn, where he'll sign on Wednesday.

Recruited by the former defensive coaching staff, Williams had some concerns when there was uncertainty prior to Will Muschamp's hiring in December. Once he got to meet with Muschamp and new linebackers coach Lance Thompson, who recruited him while at Alabama, Williams' worries were addressed to his satisfaction.

"I feel like they have a great plan with coach Muschamp, coach Lance Thompson coming in," Williams said. "(Muschamp) said he's expecting me to play as a freshman and how much I play will be on me. … I'm excited to see it all come into play and work out for the best."

The 6-foot-3 225 pound Williams said Muschamp feels he can play at all the linebacker positions, which will be getting adjusted as the team adjusts to a new scheme.

Auburn returns starting linebackers Cassanova McKinzy and Kris Frost, as well as Justin Garrett, Tre' Williams, Anthony Swain and Deshaun Davis. The Tigers also have a commitment from fellow four-star prospect Richard McBryde.

"They're very similar players," 247Sports recruiting analyst JC Shurburtt said of Williams and McBryde. "We'll have to see how the linebacker position shakes out in the new system."

Niblett is confident Williams, who he said is already "pretty well developed" physically, can adjust from being a prized recruit to a freshman looking to earn his way into the rotation.

"The best thing about him is his maturity level," Niblett said. "He understands the game. … He's not a guy that just sits in space and just covers grass."