Elite linebacker Izayia Williams makes it official, signs with Florida State

The recruitment of Izayia Williams, one of the most winding in recent memory, officially ended on Wednesday with the elite linebacker signing to Florida State.

Williams, whose recruiting process began with a commitment to Louisville in November of 2023, was at at different times committed to five schools over the past two years. Since then, he has also committed to Syracuse, Florida State, Florida and Ole Miss. This summer on Aug. 15, he flipped from the Rebels back to FSU and shut down his recruitment.

Williams returned to Tallahassee for his official visit last month and told Rivals at that time he was sticking with FSU.

“Yes I am,” he said when asked if he’s locked in with the Seminoles. “Florida State has always been one of my top places just ready to go there and help them be great.”

The Leesburg (Fla.) Tavares standout gives Mike Norvell and Co. a major building block piece, ranking as the nation’s No. 44 prospect and No. 1 linebacker, according to Rivals. He has missed the entirety of his senior season due to injury, but has been one the country’s most productive ‘backers throughout his high school career.

As a junior, he was credited with 125 tackles (15 TFLs), 4 sacks and an INT on defense, according to MaxPreps. He also starred on the offensive side of the ball, carrying 23 times for 423 yards (18.4 YPC) and 6 TDs while also catching 5 passes for 97 yards and 4 TDs.

Izayia Williams Scouting Summary

Rivals’ Scouting and Rankings Team writes this about him as a prospect:

“Elite athlete who plays with hyper-physicality, making him one of the top linebacker prospects in the 2026 cycle. Measured at around 6-foot-1, 210 pounds with plus length before his senior season. One of the better combine athletes in the cycle and ran an 11.05 second mark in the 100 meters as a junior. Carries that athleticism over to the field on Friday nights. A one-time safety who has found a home as a dynamic, versatile lienbacker. A head-hunter who runs sideline-to-sideline, dishing out bone-rattling hits. Diagnoses and plays fast. Equally comfortable playing in a phone booth as he is dropping into space. Very productive as a junior, tallying 125 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, and one interception while scoring 10 touchdowns on offense. Younger for the cycle, turning 17 years old in July before his senior year. Will need to continue adding good weight to his frame. Sustained a knee injury before his senior season.”