Dec. 3, 2025, 12:39 p.m. ET

Florida football signed four-star wide receiver Justin Williams, a dual-threat athlete out of Buchholz in Gainesville, Florida, on Wednesday.

Williams committed to Florida while on an official visit the weekend of June 6. Billy Napier’s dismissal led to Williams keeping his options open, but he was considered a strong Florida lean for most of the fall. Florida wide receivers coach and interim head coach Billy Gonzales spearheaded the recruitment. Williams is hopeful Gonzales stays with the program.

“Depending on the coach that they bring in, there’s a lot of factors that go into it; if they still want me, if they even like me,” Williams said to Swamp247 after Napier was fired. “There’s a lot of things going into it. I’m just going to take it slow and just keeping it open and just going from there.”

Florida State, Kentucky and Indiana pursued him after Napier was fired, but none were serious competitors by November. Florida State’s own struggles prevented the Seminoles from strongly pursuing Williams, and Kentucky slowly withdrew from the race. Indiana continued to reach out, but Florida’s proximity to home kept Williams in the Sunshine State. He visited multiple times throughout the season.

“My mom could just drive 20 minutes down the road coming to see my games,” Williams said to Swamp247 when he initially committed. “It’s just really cool. I’m going to see all my friends sitting in the stands.”

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A true athlete, Williams is the first Florida high schooler in more than 20 years to have 1,000 yards rushing and receiving in the same season — the last being Devin Hester in 2002. He’s expected to play wide receiver in college, and that’s what Florida lists him as, but Williams could still be a threat in the run game — on end-arounds or out of the backfield.

He rose to No. 193 in the 247Sports composite ranking after starting the fall at No. 205.

Player ProfileHometownGainesville, FloridaSchoolBuchholzHeight5-10.5Weight187PositionWRX/Twitter@Jstnw13Instagram@whois.jmwPlayer NotesNamed a consensus 4-star recruit in the 2026 signing class by Rivals, 247 Sports and ESPN. Tabbed as the No. 153 prospect nationally and the No. 17 player in the state by Rivals, while being touted as the No. 9 WR in the country by 247 Sports. Became the first high school player in the state of Florida to record over 1,000 rushing and receiving yards in the same season since Devin Hester in 2002.Williams totaled 108 carries, 1023 yards and 16 TDs on the ground, adding 85 catches, 1473 yards and 13 TDs across his historic 2024 campaign.Set a Buchholz record with seven touchdowns recorded in a single game. Earned 2024 Sports Illustrated Florida HS Offensive Player of the Year Honors. Named the Gainesville Sun’s All-Area Offensive Player of the Year. Highlighted as a 2024 Finalist for the Florida Dairy Farmers 6A Mr. Football award. A multisport athlete, he also played baseball throughout high school. Selected Florida over Florida State, Indiana, Louisville, Missouri, North Carolina, Ole Miss and Utah, among others. Recruiting Summary

Andrew Ivins, Director of Scouting 247Sports:

Unique combo player that has stuffed box scores as both a running back and a wide receiver at the prep level and should bring that same versatility to the next level.Could best be described as a tough and competitive football player that will get the most out of his touches – whether that be via a pass or a hand off.Built more like a running back and plays more like a running back as he will lower the shoulder pads and initiate contact.Rather decisive as a ball carrier as he wastes little motion and powers forward, frequently taking what a defense will give to him.Flashes natural hands when positioned in the slot or split out wide as he gets large in traffic and can absorb hits.Not exactly a burner, but equipped with favorable play speed and good foot quickness.Ceiling appears to be highest as a three-down running back that can be targeted heavily out of the backfield, but could also certainly carve out a role as a trusted inside receiver.”

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