In this installment of The Recruit Notebook, we meet another athletic and physical defender who is joining the Canes DE group: DE Quentin Williams.

Bio

The Miami Hurricanes knew clearly that they needed reinforcements at the DE position in the 2020 recruiting class. And, in that pursuit, they contacted Charlotte (NC) Mallard Creek DE Quentin Williams.

A 6’3” 234lb standout, Williams has the size to be an impact player on the edge for the Canes, just as he was for Mallard Creek in HS. His recruitment was fairly quiet for a player of his physical abilities, but he ended up picking Miami, so all’s well that ends well, no?

Williams’s first visit back in the spring was a trip to West Virginia for an official visit. No commitment came at that time, and other unofficial visits, including one to Miami, took place over the spring and summer months. But, even after his visit to West Virginia, Miami made Williams a priority.

After making his way down to Coral Gables for Paradise Camp — Miami’s premier recruiting camp/events — Williams committed to the Canes on-site. This was a big addition for the Canes, and a landmark moment for the Williams family. Quentin’s father Joe is an unashamed Canes fan, so having his son pick the team of his personal fandom was a double bonus for Mr. Williams, and a boon for the Canes in the 2020 recruiting class.

Recruiting Ranking

On the 247sports composite, Williams is a 4-star prospect, the #31 WDE nationally in this class, #18 in the State of North Carolina, and #683 recruit overall.

Williams committed to Miami over offers from West Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia Tech from his list of 14 scholarship offers.

As a player

At 6’3” 234lbs, Williams has good, but not great, size for a DE. He’ll likely need to add a bit of weight and strength at the college level, but he’s got the foundation and frame to do that.

The first thing that pops off the screen when you watch Williams’s highlights is his quickness. Whether it’s from DE or DT, Williams has a first step that few players can match. At DE, that’s just how he works on a normal basis. At DT, where Mallard Creek moved him on passing downs, he’s an absolute mismatch for bigger, slower interior linemen who don’t have a prayer of keeping up with Williams.

Williams is a tenacious player with a high motor. That helps him beat linemen of all kinds, all over the offense, and even to defeat double teams, which he faced on more than a few occasions in 2019.

Strengths

• QUICK first step
• Twitchy athlete
• Experience rushing from DE and DT alignments
• Big, strong lower half

Weaknesses

• Can improve technique
• Can anchor against the run better

2020 Outlook

If there’s a position that Miami has been good at recruiting and developing recently, it’s Defensive End. With Williams, there’s another top talent for the Canes to put on the field. That’s worked out well for the many players of his caliber who have preceded him, and it should be no different with Williams.

Chances for a Redshirt: 6/10

There are PLENTY of snaps to be had at DE next year. If Williams can prove himself worthy, he should see the field. But, there are other players in this recruiting class (and potentially from the Transfer Portal) competing for those snaps as well. And, with those players being more highly rated as prospects, Williams may take a redshirt in 2020 and join the rotation in 2021.

That’s it for this installment of the Recruiting Notebook.

Go Canes