Domonic Williams doesn’t take the growing number of college football scholarship offers for granted. Instead, the Jacksonville junior is grateful for every one of them.

“I treat each one of them like they are special, not just the big ones, but also the little ones,” Williams said. “These colleges want to offer me a scholarship to go to school for free, and that’s really big. It’s amazing.”

While the 6-foot-1, 190-pound defensive back makes it a point not to get conceited, Williams couldn’t help but offer a small smile when he was asked to name the programs who have already offered him.

The list includes Kentucky, Florida, Ole Miss, Missouri, East Carolina, Wake Forest, North Carolina, N.C. State, Appalachian State and most recently Ohio State. Yes, that’s right, The Ohio State University.

“It’s all just a testament to my hard work I’ve put in over the years, and it means a lot because my mom has been doing a lot for me and my dad, too,” Williams said. “But I am really just trying to stay focused. I don’t want to get a big ego or big head. That can be a little hard. I just need to stay focused.”

Jacksonville coach Beau Williams believes Williams will do just that.

“DJ has got a great work ethic,” he said. “He’s got a good head on his shoulders, he’s a really good football player and he does everything the right way.”

Williams wants to continue displaying that.

“The colleges have wanted to know me as a person, not just a football player,” he said. “They will get a determined and hard-working player.”

Williams was a second-team all-area defensive back last season after he intercepted two passes, had 12 passes defended and 45 tackles for the Cardinals, who went 12-1 overall, 5-0 in the Big Carolina Conference and advanced to the NCHSAA 6-A East Regional final.

Williams looks to be a leader this season as the Cardinals hope to make another deep run.

“We lost a lot of seniors last year, and I am more of an upperclassman now. So, I have to lead by example,” Williams said. “We made it to the Eastern Regional final last year, but we want to get over the hump.”

Chris Miller can be contacted via email at cmiller@jdnews.com. Follow him on X @jdnsports.