Galveston (Tex.) Ball safety Jonah Williams has revealed his commitment decision after announcing his pledge to the Texas Longhorns on Saturday.
Williams, the No. 1 safety in America, selected Steve Sarkisian's program over LSU, Texas A&M, USC and Oregon after a rigorous recruiting process.
Brian Kelly and the Tigers hosted the dual-sport phenom for an official visit over the summer, and after taking a multi-day stay with the program, LSU gained momentum.
Then, down the stretch, it was the Longhorns who surged after getting Williams to Austin (Tex.) for an unofficial visit once the recruiting dead period ended on the final weekend of July.
Williams was expected to make his way to Baton Rouge for a visit with the LSU staff but ultimately checked out both the Texas baseball and football facilities.
There are ties to Texas for Williams. A Lone Star State native, he has family in the Austin area and developed a connection with the Longhorns' baseball coaching staff.
Once Texas head baseball coach Jim Schlossnagle made the move from Texas A&M to Texas, focus immediately shifted towards the Longhorns for Williams.
Now, after meeting with both the football and baseball staffs, Williams has made his decision and gone public with a commitment to the Texas Longhorns.
For the Tigers, they've retooled their defensive backfield this offseason and it starts in the cornerback room.
With a commitment from the No. 1 cornerback in America, DJ Pickett, along with Top 10 corner Kade Phillips, the program has added elite talent to the defensive backfield.
LSU has also reeled in pledged from the Louisiana natives Aidan Anding (CB) and Jhase Thomas (Safety).
Kelly and Co. currently boast the No. 3 Recruiting Class in America headlined by a quartet of five-star prospects.
Bryce Underwood: No. 1 Quarterback in America
Height: 6'4
Weight: 215 pounds
The Rundown,perOn3 Sports: "Bryce Underwood made an immediate impact on the varsity level as a freshman at Belleville (Michigan) High School. Underwood threw for 2,888 yards and 39 touchdowns with only four interceptions. He also added six rushing scores in his freshman season to lead Belleville to a state championship. Underwood was named the Michigan Associated Press Division 1-2 Player of the Year after the stellar first season. He then led Belleville to a perfect 14-0 record and another state title in 2022. Underwood threw for 2,762 yards and 37 touchdowns as a sophom*ore. To make things even more impressive, Underwood could technically be a 2026 prospect, but he’s completing school early as part of the 2025 class."
Harlem Berry: No. 1 Running Back in America
Height: 5'10
Weight: 182 pounds
The Rundown,perOn3 Sports: "St Martin's Episcopal School coach Marcus Dizer isn't shy about heaping on the praise for Harlem Berry. 'In all my years, I have never coached or seen a better player than Harlem,' Dizer said. Through his first two seasons of varsity football, Berry had 4,723 all-purpose yards and 67 touchdowns. He also won the Louisiana 1A state titles in the 100 (10.57) and 200-meters (21.43) during his sophom*ore year. As a sophom*ore, Berry rushed 193 times for 2,237 yards (11.6 yards per carry) and 37 touchdowns. During his junior season, he was named the Greater New Orleans Quarterback Club player of the month in September after rushing for 805 yards and 16 scores – in just four games. 'He's brilliant,' Dizer said. 'We do not win games without him.'"
DJ Pickett: No. 1 Cornerback in America
Height: 6'4
Weight: 180 pounds
The Rundown:Per 247Sports, "Lanky two-way playmaker that allows the mind to get pretty creative when it comes identifying potential roles, but warrants a look as a field corner given one-of-a-kind frame and quick-twitched lower half. Measured right around 6-foot-4, 180 pounds the summer before senior season, making him one of the tallest defensive backs to come out of the high school ranks in recent cycles. More notably, came in with a near 6-foot-8 wingspan. Has dominated rural Florida-based competition the past few years, making an impact as both a wide receiver and a deep safety. Has what it takes to emerge as a true game-breaker on offense with his size and foot speed, but ability to generate turnovers with his advanced ball skills while also mirroring in reverse makes him an intriguing option in both man and off-coverage."
Derek Meadows: Five-Star Wide Receiver
Height: 6'6
Weight: 205 pounds
The Rundown:Per 247Sports, "Meadows is a jumbo receiver and one of the more intriguing players in the ’25 class. He has a rare combination of size, athleticism and body control and is only scratching the surface of how good we think he can be. At 6-6, 200 pounds and an 80” wingspan, he’s a matchup nightmare for smaller defensive backs and should be an immediate red zone threat. He can run as well and is one of the region’s top track athletes although a hamstring injury has limited him this Spring. He was the Gatorade Track and Field Athlete of the Year as a sophom*ore and is one of the region’s top hurdlers. He has a big frame and it wouldn’t shock us if he eventually grows in to a pass catching tight end who would be lethal working against linebackers and safeties down the middle of the field."
More LSU News:
Fall Camp Week 3 Preview: Storylines, Position Battles and Depth Chart Predictions
LSU Inching Towards No. 1 Recruiting Class in America
The Eye-Catchers: Who's Standing Out During Fall Camp?
Follow Zack Nagy on Twitter:@znagy20and LSU Tigers On SI:@LSUTigersSIfor all coverage surrounding the LSU program.
