COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State is expected to sign four-star linebacker Kourt Williams during the early signing period for the 2020 recruiting class, which lasts from Dec. 18-20. Learn more about this member of the Buckeyes’ recruiting class with this profile.
Kourt Williams
School: St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.).
Position: Outside linebacker.
Height, weight: 6-foot-1, 216 pounds.
247Sports rating: 4-star prospect rated the No. 11 outside linebacker, the No. 16 player in the state of California and the No. 153 player in the country according to 247Sports.com’s composite ratings.
Other offers: Alabama, Florida State, Georgia, Michigan, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Oregon, Penn State, Tennessee, Texas, Texas A&M, Washington and others.
What’s his deal?
Ohio State went back to the same school that it signed guard Wyatt Davis from to find its next potential player to fill the Bullet position. Williams was part of the rush of summer commitments that the Buckeyes got from its first Backward Bash and Barbecue. He made his official visit that weekend. Among the others that also visited that weekend that were either committed to Ohio State or eventually joined the class were Paris Johnson Jr., Cody Simon, Clark Phillips III and Darrion Henry.
The Buckeyes’ increased emphasis on recruiting the West Coast has been one of the bigger storylines when it comes to this class. Williams and Phillips both come from California. And they also have commits from the states of Arizona and Washington after pulling in prospects from Idaho and Hawaii in previous years.
How he fits into Ohio State’s plans
One of the big things that came with Ohio State’s overhaul of its defensive coaching staff was the introduction of the Bullet, which is a hybrid of a linebacker and safety. Co-defensive coordinator Greg Mattison, who came to OSU from Michigan, had a similar type of role in its defense called the Viper.
Williams looks the part of what Ohio State wants as a prototype for the Bullet. At 216 pounds, he has the size for the position and has the ability to cover as well as play downhill as a linebacker. And with Brendon White, who was expected to be the Bullet this season, reportedly in the transfer portal, Williams’ arrival comes at a good time.
Projections for 2020
Williams was probably going to have a harder time getting on the field before White entered the portal. But now that that’s happened, he’s got a better chance to get on the field. It will be interesting to see what happens with the Bullet since Jeff Hafley is heading to Boston College. Either way, Williams seems like a tailor-made fit to get in on special teams almost immediately.
With the turnover in the Ohio State secondary, there is opportunity for Williams to make an early impact.
Read more about Williams
From cleveland.com
* Williams commits to Ohio State
Other stories about Williams
* Williams says leaving California is best for his football future (Los Angeles Times)
Ohio State’s 2020 recruiting class
* See Ohio State’s entire 2020 recruiting class here
More Ohio State National Signing Day profiles
* Julian Fleming, 5-star receiver
* Paris Johnson Jr., 5-star offensive tackle
* Jaxon Smith-Njigba, 4-star receiver
* Clark Phillips III, 4-star cornerback
* Gee Scott Jr., 4-star receiver
* Lathan Ransom, 4-star safety
* Mookie Cooper, 4-star receiver
* Cody Simon, 4-star outside linebacker
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