Tigers pick up commitment
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Mammoth offensive lineman Josh Williford of Dothan, Ala., decided to conclude his recruiting process with a personal touch.
Even though Williford, a standout offensive guard at Houston Academy, does not plan to take part in either of LSU’s final camps of the summer, the 6-foot-7, 338-pounder drove to Baton Rouge with his mother to commit to LSU football coach Les Miles.
“I felt like committing was the better thing to do in person,” said Williford, who will play either tackle or guard in college.
Williford is the second offensive line prospect this week to select LSU after Stavion Lowe of Brownwood, Texas did the same on Sunday.
The addition of Williford would appear to round out LSU’s recruiting needs at offensive line, giving the Tigers their fifth pledge at that position.
LSU, now with 15 commitments, heads into a weekend in which they will stage a 7-on-7 passing tournament, a lineman camp and senior camp that could further impact the Tigers’ recruiting efforts.
“LSU’s getting a good player,” Houston Academy coach Jimmy Addison said. “Probably the biggest thing about him is his feet. For someone as big as he is, he moves pretty well (5.27 in 40). He’s going to need to redshirt before he’s ready to play at that level. He’s a great kid who is a great competitor.”
Williford, who is academically qualified and carries a 3.4 grade point average, selected LSU over Ole Miss. There was also interest from in-state schools Alabama and Auburn — two schools where Williford attended camps — along with Florida State.
“Originally I was a Tennessee fan growing up,” Williford said. “I went to Tennessee (last year) and I loved the coaches there, but it wasn’t the place for me. I didn’t feel at home there. Then I went to LSU and the coaches were amazing. I love Alabama and Auburn, but LSU’s the fit for me.”
Williford attended LSU’s academic junior day in February and returned to campus to take part in the Tigers first summer camp in June. Instead of following his initial instinct and committing to LSU, he honored his pledge to attend summer camps at Alabama, Auburn and Ole Miss.
“I had already made commitments to go to other places for camps and I felt like I needed to keep my word,” he said. “I wanted to go and make sure it wasn’t just an overwhelming emotion with my first offer before I committed. I went to all of them, prayed about it and it turned out that LSU the best.”
Williford is scheduled to start in his third season for Houston Academy, a college preparatory school with 624 students. The two-way starter at offensive guard and defensive tackle earned all-conference and all-state honors on offense in 2007 after helping Houston Academy to a 7-3 record and state playoff berth.
“When I first got a letter to attend junior day in the spring, I thought why not go and check it out,” Williford said. “When I stepped on LSU’s campus, I fell in love with it. I thought it would be hard to get an offer from the national champions, so I looked at other schools and I got interested in them but LSU’s just always been a great place.”
Even though Williford, a standout offensive guard at Houston Academy, does not plan to take part in either of LSU’s final camps of the summer, the 6-foot-7, 338-pounder drove to Baton Rouge with his mother to commit to LSU football coach Les Miles.
“I felt like committing was the better thing to do in person,” said Williford, who will play either tackle or guard in college.
Williford is the second offensive line prospect this week to select LSU after Stavion Lowe of Brownwood, Texas did the same on Sunday.
The addition of Williford would appear to round out LSU’s recruiting needs at offensive line, giving the Tigers their fifth pledge at that position.
LSU, now with 15 commitments, heads into a weekend in which they will stage a 7-on-7 passing tournament, a lineman camp and senior camp that could further impact the Tigers’ recruiting efforts.
“LSU’s getting a good player,” Houston Academy coach Jimmy Addison said. “Probably the biggest thing about him is his feet. For someone as big as he is, he moves pretty well (5.27 in 40). He’s going to need to redshirt before he’s ready to play at that level. He’s a great kid who is a great competitor.”
Williford, who is academically qualified and carries a 3.4 grade point average, selected LSU over Ole Miss. There was also interest from in-state schools Alabama and Auburn — two schools where Williford attended camps — along with Florida State.
“Originally I was a Tennessee fan growing up,” Williford said. “I went to Tennessee (last year) and I loved the coaches there, but it wasn’t the place for me. I didn’t feel at home there. Then I went to LSU and the coaches were amazing. I love Alabama and Auburn, but LSU’s the fit for me.”
Williford attended LSU’s academic junior day in February and returned to campus to take part in the Tigers first summer camp in June. Instead of following his initial instinct and committing to LSU, he honored his pledge to attend summer camps at Alabama, Auburn and Ole Miss.
“I had already made commitments to go to other places for camps and I felt like I needed to keep my word,” he said. “I wanted to go and make sure it wasn’t just an overwhelming emotion with my first offer before I committed. I went to all of them, prayed about it and it turned out that LSU the best.”
Williford is scheduled to start in his third season for Houston Academy, a college preparatory school with 624 students. The two-way starter at offensive guard and defensive tackle earned all-conference and all-state honors on offense in 2007 after helping Houston Academy to a 7-3 record and state playoff berth.
“When I first got a letter to attend junior day in the spring, I thought why not go and check it out,” Williford said. “When I stepped on LSU’s campus, I fell in love with it. I thought it would be hard to get an offer from the national champions, so I looked at other schools and I got interested in them but LSU’s just always been a great place.”
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