<
>

UA jersey tour: Garrett Williams

ORLANDO, Fla. -- ESPN 300 tight end Garrett Williams was presented with his Under Armour All-America Game jersey Tuesday morning in a ceremony sponsored by American Family Insurance. The ceremony took place in front of family, friends and teammates at The First Academy's gymnasium in Orlando, Florida.

The No. 2-ranked tight end in the ESPN 300 and the 113th-ranked player overall said he felt honored to be selected to one of the top All-American games in the country.

"It means a lot,” Williams said. "I remember going to these games when they were in the Citrus Bowl with my grandpa and just idolizing those players and wanting to play in the game someday and to be selected for it now is truly a dream come true. I can't wait to participate in January.”

Williams has been committed to Clemson since May and hasn't wavered at all. In fact, the four-star tight end will only take two visits before signing day and both will be to Clemson.

"I'm just going to take one official visit to Clemson around February sometime and then one unofficial visit for the South Carolina game," Williams said.

Williams credits the Clemson coaching staff, in particular head coach Dabo Swinney as a main reason he committed to the Tigers.

"I love the coaching staff at Clemson. It's a very unique coaching staff,” Williams said. "Coach Swinney and the rest of the coaches are incredible men as well as elite coaches. I think that was really special to me to be able to be coached by men that I can look up to off the field as well. Also, their scheme fits my skill set. I feel like I can be versatile in their offense."

Six questions with Garrett Williams

Who was the best player you ever saw play in the Under Armour game?

Williams: There's been so many great players that have played, but I'd have to say Jadeveon Clowney because he was such a specimen and he would just dominate the game. I remember watching Greg Reid play because I was a big Florida State fan growing up and he went there. I really liked watching him.

If you could start a team with any other player in your class who would it be?

GW: I don't really know him well, so this is not because of my relationship with him but from what I've seen and read, Chad Smith, the linebacker commit for Clemson I feel like he's a really good leader. That's somebody that I would want to start a team with -- a strong leader with a strong personality.

Who are you looking forward to competing against the most?

JW: The tight ends usually go up against the linebackers so I'd say the best linebackers there. That's one of the things that's so special about the Under Armour game is all the top talent is there. It's truly a unique opportunity to get all the top athletes in the country at their position in one place. I'm just excited to go against the top-tier linebackers and improve my game.

If you could take on any professional athlete in their sport who would it be?

GW: That's a tough one. I'd probably say Patrick Willis for the 49ers. I love watching him play. He's incredible.

What's your earliest football memory?

GW: My earliest tackle football memory would be when I was in third grade, which was the first year my parents let me play Pop Warner. I was bigger than most the kids that were my age so I had to play up with the sixth graders and I played center. I was so happy I could get the starting job and just get on the field anyway I could.

What's something that most people don't know about you?

GW: One interesting thing is that I have a garden at my house. Right now I have okra, bell peppers, beans and different kind of herbs. This summer, I wanted something to do when I wasn't here playing football so I decided I was going to clear 180 square feet of our yard so I cleared all the sod out and I built three 96 square foot boxes and I had to do all this stuff with the soil, but I was able to get it all done.